Richmond (63-64) All-Star lefty Kelvin Marte stuck out a career-high nine batters over eight sterling innings to sink the Senators (62-67) 2-1 on Tuesday Night at The Diamond. Marte hurled eight innings for the third time in his career and Phil McCormick navigated some rough terrain in the ninth inning to hold down the victory. The veteran Marte one-upped the Nationals top pitching prospect Lucas Giolioto, who was nabbed with the loss. Richmond and Harrisburg conclude the series on Wednesday with LHP Matt Lujan on the mound. There are five home games remaining in the 2015 season.
Marte (10-5) earned the win by matching his career-high of eight innings pitched. He allowed just one run on four hits on 100 pitches in the effort. Phil McCormick entered to start the ninth inning and walked the first two batters prior to ending the game with a double play and strikeout to earn the save.
The Squirrels provided some early offense for Marte in the first inning. With two outs, Richmond second baseman Juan Ciriaco doubled to straight away center field for the first hit of the game. Hunter Cole then promptly singled back through the middle to give the Squirrels a 1-0 lead against Harrisburg starting pitcher Lucas Giolito. Harrisburg tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning with a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly.
Marte was efficient with his pitches over the course of his 17th start of the season. He needed just 56 pitches to get through the first five innings with the assistance from double play in the second inning. Richmond then provided a 2-1 lead with another run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hunter Cole walked to open the frame, moved to second on an opposite field double by Ricky Oropesa and scored when Mitch Delfino grounded out to short.
Giolito (2-2) pitched into the seventh inning and allowed just a pair of runs on five hits in the loss. The Nationals top pitching prospect struck out eight batters and was removed with a pair of outs in the seventh for Bryan Harper. Harper recorded one out and Wander Suero hurled a scoreless eighth in relief.
The Squirrels three games series concludes against the Senators on Wednesday at The Diamond. LHP Matt Lujan (7-5, 2.48) will make the start against Harrisburg RHP Colin Bates (5-4, 3.98). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with the Pregame Warmup beginning at 6:35 PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com. The Remaining promotional schedule is as follows: (8/26) Fleece Blanket Giveaway & In Your-Face Fireworks. (9/4) Free Shirt Fridays, Happy Hour & Ladies Night. (9/5) Superblast Saturday and 20th Anniversary of Billy Madison. (9/6) Kids Club Metal Lunchbox Giveaway. (9/7) Bark In the Park #3 – Labor Day.
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