EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Wild West Tilts Back in Richmond's Favor

Published on September 2, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ALTOONA, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (74-65) got out early and dusted the Altoona Curve (63-75), 8-4, in the opener of a four-game series at Blair County Ballpark on Friday night. The win, coupled with a loss by Bowie, nudges the Squirrels back in front in the race for the wild-card spot in the Western Division. Richmond currently holds a half-game lead.

Charlie Culberson got Richmond started with one out in the top of the first inning. Culberson took Curve right-hander Brett Sinkbeil deep down the left-field line for a 1-0 lead. The solo-shot was the 10th of the season for Culberson.

In the second inning, the Squirrels played small-ball following a lead-off single from Juan Perez. Perez stole second base, and moved to third on the play when the throw from Tony Sanchez deflected off of him as he slid in. Skyler Stromsmoe followed and slapped a soft-single into left field to plate Perez for a 2-0 advantage.

Altoona cut the lead in half in the third inning, as Starling Marte notched an infield-single with one out. Brad Chalk followed with a single into right field to put runners at the corners with one out. Marte scored to make it 2-1 when Maday offered a pitch in the dirt that slipped through the legs of Jackson Williams for a wild-pitch.

Williams would make amends in the fourth, as the Squirrels busted the game open. With one out, Wes Hodges got Richmond started with a single. Juan Perez followed with a single, and Stromsmoe loaded the bases with he singled. Williams cleared the bases with a double to the wall in center field, giving the Squirrels a 5-1 advantage. Maday followed with a single, and a batter later Culberson rolled a ball to third that was misplayed by Jeremy Farrell. The error allowed Williams to score for a 6-1 lead.

Altoona got a run back against Maday in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Richmond plated two in response in the sixth inning. Williams sparked the rally with a single, and after the first Double-A hit from Ryan Lollis, Wendell Fairley ripped a double to center field to plate two runs for an 8-2 lead.

Sinkbeil (0-1) wore the loss over 5 1/3 innings. He conceded eight runs - six earned - on 11 hits, walked one and struck out six. Maday (4-10), in his return to the Squirrels, picked up his fourth win of the year. He worked five innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out two, eclipsing 100 pitches in five innings.

Right-hander Drew Bowlin worked 2 1/3 innings of relief, conceding just a lone run. That run was plated in the eighth inning, as Quincy Latimore sent a two-run home run to left field. The home run came off left-hander Wilmin Rodriguez, but Bowlin had left a runner behind upon his departure. Richmond turned to right-hander Heath Hembree in the ninth inning. The Curve made it interesting, loading the bases with two outs, but Hembree fanned Latimore to end the ballgame.

Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday night at Blair County Ballpark. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (9-9, 3.53) will make the start for the Squirrels against

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Eastern League Stories from September 2, 2011


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