The Altoona Curve (73-56) overpowered and dominated the Flying Squirrels (61-69) in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve battered Richmond 9-2 in the first contest and shutdown the Squirrels 3-0 in game two. The losses mathematically eliminated Richmond from playoff contention, while simultaneously dropping the Curve’s magic number for a playoff spot to two. The Squirrels will wrap up the 2018 road schedule in the series final on Sunday at 6 p.m. Richmond then returns to Funnville for the last homestand of the year starting on Monday, August 27. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN
Game One
The Curve utilized a six-run fourth inning and a complete game from RHP James Marvel to take game one on Saturday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Marvel limited the Flying Squirrels to two runs over seven innings to earn his third win in just four starts at the Double-A level. The righty struck out three and allowed six hits in the winning effort.
It was a tough start for Jake McCasland, who suffered the loss in the opener. McCasland struggled with a tighter strike zone and wound up throwing 94 pitches in 3.1 innings. McCasland loaded the bases in the first inning by allowing two hits and a walk. With two outs, Altoona’s Logan Webb lifted a single into centerfield, scoring Cole Tucker and Ke’Bryan Hays for a 2-0 lead. McCasland struck out Jordan George to end the frame but he tossed 27 pitches in the inning.
The Curve tacked on another run in the third inning. Bryan Reynolds singeld to open the inning and stole second base. With one out, catcher Jin-De Jhang lined a base hit passed the drawn-in infield for a 3-0 lead.
The game got out of hand in the fourth as Altoona sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs in the inning. The Curve loaded the bases with one out in the inning and Reynolds dribbled a grounded the the third base side of the infield. McCasland fielded the ball and tossed to third base, but no one was covering the bag. The ball rolled into left field and two runs scored on the play. An intentional walk reloaded the bases and Jhang connected on another RBI single. McCasland then walked the next two hitters – both with the bases loaded – and was removed for Diaz. Diaz allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly before finally ending the inning.
McCasland (4-7) suffered the defeat and worked 3.1 innings. The righty allowed nine runs on nine hits in the defeat. He walked five and struck out a pair.
Marvel cruised for the Curve and tossed all seven innings in the win. Richmond pushed across just a pair of runs on Marvel in the fifth ining, Marvel walked Matt Winn to start the inning and Matt Lipka brought him around with a a double into the gap in left centerfield. Lipka advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when CJ Hinojosa lofted a sacrifice fly into centerfield.
Game Two
Richmond’s struggles to keep Altoona off the bases carried over into game two on Saturday. The Curve struck for a run in the second and two more in the third. Altoona had runners on base in every inning of the game and forced starter Garrett Williams out after just two frames.
Williams hit Tyler Gaffney on the right foot with one out in the second. Gaffney took third on a base hit and scored when the pitcher Scooter Hightower bounced a single into centerfield. Hightower’s first professional hit gave the Curve a 1-0 lead.
Hightower also shined on the mound. The righty limited the Richmond offense to just a pair of hits over six innings. Hightower (1-1) earned the win and set down 15 consecutive batters from the first inning into the sixth. He used 69 pitches in the win.
Williams (3-9) lasted just a pair of innings and suffered the defeat. the lefty allowed two runs on five hits. He walked two, hit one and struck out one while using 57 pitches. Williams was replaced by Ryan Halstead with runners on base in the third. Halstead allowed an inherited runner to score on a base hit from Will Craig. Logan Hill added an RBI double to make it a 3-0 contest.
Halstead did the heavy lifting for Richmond in the effort. The righty tossed three innings and kept the game close through the middle innings. Halstead allowed the one run on four hits. Dillon McNamara tossed the sixth inning and extended his scoreless innings streak to 17.1.
The Flying Squirrels conclude the final road trip of the season in Altoona, Pa on Sunday at 6 p.m. RHP Chase Johnson 2-4, 3.99) is scheduled to make the start against Altoona RHP Eduardo Vera (7-3, 4.21). Richmond will return to Funnville for the last homestand of the year starting on Monday, August 27. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN
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