Squirrels' Slide Hits Three in Altoona, 4-1

April 12, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release

ALTOONA, PA - The Altoona Curve plated two runs in the first inning and never looked back, handing the Flying Squirrels their third consecutive loss, 4-1, in the series opener of a three-game set at Blair County Ballpark on Monday night.

Flying Squirrels' starter Craig Clark struggled with his command in the early going, and a pair of walks in the first inning would turn into a pair of runs for the Curve. Clark walked back-to-back batters in Chase d'Arnoud and Jordy Mercer and both scored when Hector Gimenez delivered a two-run single for a 2-0 Altoona lead.

Richmond got one of the runs back off Curve starter Justin Wilson in the fourth inning when Brandon Crawford doubled to open the inning. Thomas Neal moved him to third with a ground out, and Conor Gillaspie brought him home with a single that caromed off Wilson on the mound.

Altoona wasted no time getting the run back off Clark as Miles Durham led off the fourth inning with a double. Gimenez bunted him to third, and he beat a throw to the plate from Crawford on a ground ball from Josh Harrison for a 3-1 lead.

Clark (0-1) departed after four innings, and the Curve tacked on a run in the fifth off his replacement Craig Whitaker. Whitaker walked Jim Negrych, who was batting for Wilson, as well as Gorkys Hernandez to put two aboard with one out. A batter later, Mercer delivered an RBI single to stretch the lead, 4-1. Clark was tagged was his first loss in his first start of the season, conceding three runs over four innings and 65 pitches.

Wilson (1-0) earned the win, finishing five innings and allowing the lone run on five hits, walking one and striking out four. Left-hander Tony Watson took over for Wilson and tossed three scoreless innings through the eighth. Jeff Sues worked a perfect ninth inning for his first save of the season.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Tuesday night at Blair County Ballpark. RHP Mike MacDonald (0-0, 2.25) will make the start for the Flying Squirrels against RHP Mike Crotta (1-0, 1.50) for the Curve.

Eastern League Stories from April 12, 2010

• Bascom Silences Senators, 5-2 - Chesapeake Baysox
• Thunder Fall to Akron in First Loss of Season - Trenton Thunder
• Squirrels' Slide Hits Three in Altoona, 4-1 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Evans Powers B-Mets to 7-4 Triumph Over Erie - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
• Curve Capitalizes On Walks In Victory Over Squirrels - Altoona Curve
• Fisher Cats Rally Falls Short In 4-3 Loss To Phillies - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• Senators Fall To Bowie 5-2 - Harrisburg Senators
• R-Phils Beat Fisher Cats 4-3 In Series Opener - Reading Fightin Phils
• Early Lead Holds up for Portland - New Britain Rock Cats
• Sea Dogs Rock the 'Cats 8-2 - Portland Sea Dogs
• 'Wolves Fall To B-Mets 7-4 - Erie SeaWolves
• Curve Traffic Advisory - Altoona Curve
• Seven Game Homestand Continues Tonight - Reading Fightin Phils
• Meet The Baysox On April 25 - Chesapeake Baysox
• Daniel To Syracuse; Espinosa To The Dl & Johnson Joins Senators - Harrisburg Senators
• Erie SeaWolves At Binghamton Mets...Game One Of Three...Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
• Aeros Game Notes - Akron RubberDucks
• Garcia Placed On DL; Van Benschoten Called Up To Join Thunder - Trenton Thunder
• Alliance For Consumer Education Will Take The Mound Against Inhalant Abuse - Trenton Thunder
• Flying Squirrels' Transactions Announced by Giants - Richmond Flying Squirrels

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