The Richmond Flying Squirrels (66-65) got out to a quick start in the first inning, but mustered nothing after and fell to the Altoona Curve (62-68), 2-1, at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Thursday. With Bowie hammering Harrisburg on Thursday, the Squirrels fall four games back in the wild-card chase in the Western Division.
The Squirrels got to Altoona righty Tyler Waldron quickly with a run in the top of the first. Daniel Mayora singled with one out and Juan Perez followed with double to right-center field. With runners at second and third, Wes Hodges ripped a line-drive to the right side. Curve second baseman Jarek Cunningham leaped into the air and appeared to make the catch. However, the ball popped out of his mitt for a single. Mayora scored for a 1-0 lead.
Richmond right-hander Chris held off the Curve through the first four innings, but Altoona finally broke through in the fifth. A lead-off walk issued by Heston to Quincy Latimore opened the door for the Curve. Latimore was bunted to second base, and scored to tie the ballgame when Ramon Cabrera ripped a double to right field.
Altoona forged ahead for the first time with a run in the sixth inning. Matt Curry led off with a double and advanced to third base when Oscar Tejeda singled into left field. Stefan Welch sent a fielder’s choice groundout to the shortstop to plate Curry for a 2-1 lead.
Heston (9-6) worked six quality innings but was doomed to the loss, his sixth of the season. He allowed two earned runs on five hits, walked three and struck out three. Waldron did not factor in the decision over 5 2/3 innings. He was charged with one run on six hits, walked two and struck out five.
Right-hander Mike Colla (5-6) claimed the win out of the bullpen, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Vic Black nailed down the win with his ninth save of the season. He worked a 1-2-3 inning, fanning two.
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Chris Graham
