Richmond utilized 12 hits and a solid outing from All-Star Joe Biagini in a 6-3 win over Altoona on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. Left fielder Devin Harris collected a pair of run-scoring hits in the win as the Squirrels (48-45) took the series 3-2 and improved to 8-3 against the Curve this season. Richmond continues the current homestand on Monday night as the welcome back Western Division rival Akron. Squirrels RHP Tyler Beede will open the series against the RubberDucks.
The Squirrels offense supported Biagini with a pair of runs in the second inning and three in the third. With one out in the second, Ricky Oropesa reached on an infield single and moved to second on a base hit from Austin Slater. Devin Harrris then drove a base hit to right field to score Oropesa and give Richmond a 1-0 lead. Jackson Williams plated Slater with a groundout to second for a 2-0 advantage.
Richmond opened up a 5-0 lead in the third by sending eight men to the plate against Altoona LHP Zach Dodson. Engle Beltre double and came around to score on a Hunter Cole single. After a Mitch Delfino groundout out, Ricky Oropesa and Austin Slater worked consecutive two-out walks. With the bases loaded, Harris followed with his second RBI hit of the afternoon. Jackson Williams capped the inning with a base hit to take a 5-0 lead. Dodson (4-7) took the loss for Altoona in five innings of work. Dodson allowed nine hits and five runs with three strikeouts.
Biagini (8-5) earned the win in his first outing since starting the Eastern League All-Star game on Wednesday in Portland. The righty worked out of trouble in the first inning, stranding a pair of Curve runners in scoring position. Biagini pitched with runners on base in every inning, but managed to keep Altoona off the board through the first four frames. The Curve eventually broke through for a run in the fifth on consecutive hits and a groundout from Josh Bell. Biagini allowed one run and five hits on 89 pitches. He walked two and struck out two in the victory.
Kyle Crick relieved Biagini in the sixth inning and recorded just one out. Altoona loaded the bases on Crick with a hit batter and a pair of base hits. Jose Casilla relieved Crick and allowed just one of the three inherited runners to score on a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Edward Salcedo. Casilla finished the sixth and tossed a scoreless seventh. Brauilo Lara pitched the final two innings to close out the game and earn the save.
Richmond added an insurance run to take a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning. Engle Beltre tripled and scored on a bloop base hit to centerfield from Rando Moreno. Altoona made it 6-3 in the 9th with a Max Moroff homer. Moroff had ten hits in the series for the Curve.
The Squirrels continue the homestand on Monday with the opener of a three game series against the Akron RubberDucks. Richmond RHP Tyler Beede (2-3, 3.86) will face Akron RHP Adam Plutko (4-3, 2.77). First pitch is set for7:05PM with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup starting at 6:35PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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Chris Graham
