Erie took advantage of a shaky Squirrels start in a 10-1 victory over Richmond on Sunday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park. Erie (39-61) forced Squirrels (53-47) right-hander Tyler Beede out of the game in the first inning with a five-run frame, creating a long day for the Squirrels bullpen. Richmond managed to outhit the SeaWolves 12-10 in the loss, but left a season-high 14 men on base to give Erie the series split. The Squirrels travel to Altoona to open a three game series against the Curve beginning Monday night with Joan Gregorio on the mound.
Erie plated five runs in the first inning to take an early 5-0 lead. Beede (2-4) walked three of the first five batters of the game and hit another to produce a run and load the bases. James Robbins then drilled a bases-clearing double to chase the Richmond starter from the game. Beede recorded jus the one out in his 8th start with Richmond and tossed 29 pitches. He allowed five runs on one hit with three walks and a hit batter. Stephen Johnson entered to finish out the first frame to relieve Beede. Johnson lasted three innings in his longest outing of the seasons (62 pitches).
Richmond had scoring opportunities throughout the game but came up short almost every time. Engel Beltre plated the lone Richmond run by extending his hitting streak to 17 games with a base hit in the second. Beltre is now one game shy of tying the franchise record for consecutive games with a hit, set by former Squirrel Juan Perez. Mitch Delfino and Austin Slater each collected three hits in the loss. It was the second consecutive game with three hits for Delfino.
Erie RHP Austin Kubitza (6-9) earned the win with five innings worked. Kubitza pitched with runners on in every inning, including bases loaded in the first and fifth frames. He allowed one run on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in the win. The Erie offense gave him plenty of support by plating another run in the second and three more in the fourth inning against Johnson. The SeaWolves took a 9-1 lead in the fourth inning following three consecutive free passes (two walks and a hit batter) to end the outing for Johnson. Lefty Phil McCormick then entered and allowed all three inherited runners to score on a wild pitch and two-run single by Tony Thomas. McCormick worked an inning and two thirds of relief and allowed no runs on four hits. Kyle Crick, Jose Casilla and infielder Juan Ciriaco finished out the game from the bullpen.
The Squirrels open a three game series in Altoona on Monday evening against the Curve. Richmond RHP Joan Gregorio (5-9, 6.06) will start for the Squirrels against Curve RHP Chad Kuhl (8-4, 2.75)). First pitch is set for 7:00PM with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup starting at 6:30PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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