The Richmond Flying Squirrels (3-16) dropped their franchise-record 14th consecutive ballgame, 5-3, to the New Britain Rock Cats (15-7) at New Britain Stadium on Saturday night. Richmond seemed to have the game in hand, but allowed five runs to New Britain in a wild seventh inning. Richmond remains winless (0-10) against the Eastern Division, the Rock Cats (0-5) and on the road (0-7).
New Britain righty Shane Carle and Squirrels lefty Matt Lujan each tossed four scoreless innings to start the ballgame. The Squirrels seemed poised to break through during that time as they stranded seven base runners. They finally did break on top in the fifth. Blake Miller started the inning with a single into centerfield. Mitch Delfino followed with a single back through the middle to put two aboard. The runners were bunted up a base before Mac Williamson launched a three-run home run to centerfield. Williamson’s second of the season put Richmond in front, 3-0.
Carle left during the fifth inning. He was charged with three earned runs on nine hits across 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four and did not factor in the decision.
Lujan was tremendous, but was denied a decision. He stymied the Rock Cats for six innings, allowing four hits and walking one. He struck out a season-best six.
Things unraveled for the Squirrels in the seventh, as they used four pitchers, issued three walks, committed an error and allowed five runs. The inning included an RBI double from Pat Valaika, a two-run single from Tyler Massey and an RBI-single from Noel Cuevas. An additional run scored when Kelby Tomlinson committed an error later in the inning.
Tyler Rogers (0-1) was the third of four pitchers in the seventh. He faced just one batter and issued a walk. That was enough to doom him to the loss, his first. Right-hander Justin Miller earned the win for New Britain. He worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings behind Carle. Right-hander Jose Ortega then handled a perfect eighth inning. Righty Austin House came on for the ninth and allowed a pair of singles. However, he worked past them to earn his league-leading eighth save – his fourth against the Squirrels.
The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium. Richmond RHP Joe Biagini (0-2, 2.16) will make the start against New Britain LHP Yohan Flande (3-0, 2.19). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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Chris Graham
