EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Streak Snapped at Seven, Curve Roll 9-1

Published on May 4, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Altoona Curve no-hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels into the seventh inning en route to a 9-1 victory in front of 4,007 at The Diamond on Tuesday night. The loss for the Flying Squirrels snapped their seven-game win-streak as Altoona evened the four-game series at a game apiece.

Curve starter Rudy Owens (3-0) was in control from the outset, striking out a career-high 11 over six innings of no-hit work. He carried a perfect-game bid into the fifth inning, retiring the first 14 Squirrels that he faced. He departed with the no-hit bid intact to the victory, his third of the season.

The Flying Squirrels did record their first hit in the seventh inning when Roger Kieschnick singled through the left-side of the infield, pushing Brandon Crawford, who had reached on an error, to second base. He scored Richmond's only run of the ballgame when Clay Timpner brought him around with a single. The run was charged to reliever Jeff Sues, who worked the final three innings of the game to earn the save for Altoona.

Squirrels' starter Craig Clark was in trouble from the outset, surrendering a run in the first inning after back-to-back hits to open the ballgame for Altoona led to a 1-0 lead. The Curve took control with two more runs in the third when Jordy Mercer contributed a sacrifice-fly for a 2-0 lead and Jim Negrych notched an RBI single for a 3-0 advantage.

Altoona broke the game open and chased Clark in the fourth inning. They plated five runs - two earned - in the frame, extending their lead to 8-0. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double from Matt Hague that finally forced the left-hander from the contest. All the runs were charged to Clark (1-2), who was saddled with the loss over 3 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.

Altoona capped the scoring with a lone run in the ninth inning off of Richmond reliever Felix Romero, who had just been added to the Richmond roster prior to the ballgame. The loss was the most lop-sided of the season for the Squirrels, who had entered the ballgame having claimed 14 of their last 17 games.

Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 on Wednesday night at The Diamond. RHP Mike MacDonald (1-2, 2.54) will make the start for Richmond, pitted against RHP Ross Ohlendorf (0-0, ---), making an MLB rehab start for the Curve.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 4, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central