Erie fends off Squirrels to even series

The Erie SeaWolves (19-29) held off the Flying Squirrels (16-32) in the eighth and ninth innings en route to a 4-2 win on Saturday at Jerry Uht Park.

Richmond pulled to within two runs in the ninth and managed to bring the tying run to the plate but fell short. The loss snapped the Flying Squirrels four-game winning streak and pulled the SeaWolves even in the series at one game apiece. Richmond starter Tyler Beede was the losing pitcher despite tossing 102 pitches over seven innings. Christian Arroyo had his hitting streak ended at 10 games in the defeat.

Erie jumped out to a 1-0 lead off starting pitcher Tyler Beede in the first inning. Jeff McVaney reached on single that skipped under the glove of shortstop Rando Moreno. Jacoby Jones pushed McVaney to third base on a base hit and an error on the play allowedMcVaney to score for a 1-0 lead. Beede muddled through the inning and picked up a pair of runners caught stealing.

The one run worked well for Erie starter Myles Jaye. The righty did not allow a base runner through the first 15 batters to begin hi finest outing of the season. Jeff Arnold broke up the perfect five innings with a base hit to open the sixth inning. Jaye then picked up a double play to erase Arnold off bases.

The SeaWolves continued to apply pressure on Beede and added a pair of runs in the third inning. Connor Harrell, Casey Frawley and Kody Eaves all singled to open the inning and produce a 2-0 lead. Drew Longley then flew out to left field and Hunter Cole gunned down Frawley trying to tag up from third base for a double play. Harold Castro added to the inning with a base hit to left field, scoring Eaves for a 3-0 advantage.

Beede managed to navigate through seven innings despite allowing a season-high ten hits. Erie had runners on during the first six innings but were only able to score in the first and third. Beede had thrown 93 pitches through six and came back out to start the seventh. The righty then set the side down in order to end his outing. He retired the last nine batters he faced and finished with six strikeouts in the loss

The Squirrels were finally able to scratch across an unearned run off Jaye in the eighth. Jeff Arnold worked a walk and took second base with two outs via a passed ball Ali Castillo brought home Arnold with a base hit to trim the lead to 3-1.

The SeaWolves took the run right back in the bottom of the right when Dean Green homered off reliever Ray Black. It was the 10th homer of the season for Green and hisMILB-leading 47th RBI. With the lead now 4-1, Erie brought in Ruben Alaniz to close the game. Richmond managed to score a run off Alaniz and bring the tying run to the plate but Alaniz finished the game with a Myles Schroder liner to left.