EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Squeeze Past Curve Again, 4-2

Published on July 31, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels used a pair of runs in the eighth inning to claim their third straight victory over the Altoona Curve, 4-2, in front of 9,167 on Saturday night at The Diamond.

The Squirrels came up against reliever Dustin Molleken with the game tied, 2-2, in the bottom of the eighth. Thomas Neal led off the inning with an infield-single. Brandon Belt followed and worked the count full before stroking an RBI triple into the right-field corner that plated Neal with what proved to be the game-winner. Belt came in to insure the win and cap the scoring on a sacrifice fly from Conor Gillaspie. Molleken (3-4) endured the loss for Altoona.

Chase d'Arnaud started the ballgame with a bang for Altoona as he drilled a lead-off solo-home run off of Squirrels' right-hander David Mixon in the first inning. d'Arnaud's third of the season gave the Curve a 1-0 lead.

Altoona added a run to their advantage with another run off of Mixon in the fourth. Singles from Matt Hague and Hector Gimenez coupled with a fielding error, charged to Gillaspie, loaded the bases with one out. Jose de los Santos lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for a 2-0 lead.

Richmond erased that lead in the bottom of the inning, finally breaking through against Curve left-hander Jeff Locke. Nick Noonan led off the frame with a single and Neal followed with a single. The runners moved up to second and third when Yung-Chi Chen bobbled Neal's single in left field. Belt then put the Squirrels on the board with a single to right field. After Gillaspie walked, Ryan Lormand tied the game with an RBI groundout.

Neither starter factored in the decision as Locke lasted six innings and Mixon turned in seven. Both hurlers allowed two runs, with just one earned for Mixon. Locke walked two and struck out five, Mixon walked two and struck out four.

Ronnie Ray (1-3) worked a perfect eighth inning for his first victory of the season. Rafael Cova earned his league-leading 18th save as he nailed it down with a scoreless ninth.

The finale of the four-game series is scheduled for 5:05 PM on Sunday night at The Diamond. LHP Clayton Tanner (7-6, 3.14) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Bryan Morris (4-4, 4.78) for Altoona.

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Eastern League Stories from July 31, 2010


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