Catcher Jeff Arnold smashed a game-tying home run in the seventh inning, snapping the longest scoreless drought in Flying Squirrels history, however, it was not enough as Reading (64-68) came back on Richmond (61-72) in a 5-4 win on Tuesday night at The Diamond. Reading tied the contest in the eighth and knocked home the winning run on a Malquin Canelo RBI single and error. The defeat extended Richmond’s losing streak to five games.
Arnold snapped the longest scoreless drought in team history at 33.1 consecutive innings of futility with a bang. Reliver Josh Tols walked the first two batters to begin the seventh inning and with one out, Jeff Arnold whacked a hanging breaking ball over the right field fence. Arnold’s third homer of the year not only ended the longest scoreless stretch in franchise history, it also tied the game, 3-3. Ali Castillo then doubled, quickly ending the outing for Tols (0.1IP, 2BB, 2H,4R). Luke Leftwich then entered and after he struck out pinch-hitter Ronnie Jebavy, Matt Lipka lined a single into centerfield, giving Richmond their first lead of the series, 4-3
Reading quickly retaliated, tying the game in the eighth and taking the lead back in the ninth. Richmond reliever Dusten Knight (4-1) allowed both runs and took the loss. With two outs in the eighth, Reading first baseman Darick Hall connected on a a base hit, plating Drew Stankiewicz, tying the game, 4-4. In the ninth, Deivi Grullon reached on an error to begin the inning and took second on a sacrifice bunt. Canelo then delivered a base hit to centerfield and Matt Lipka overran the ball, allowing Grullon to score the winning run from second base.
Prior to the scoreless streak coming to an end Richmond starting pitcher Logan Webb carved up the Phils first time through the order. Webb bookended the top of the first with a pair of strikeouts. The 21-year old punched out the first two batters in the second and retired the first nine batters on 34 pitches.
Reading disrupted the flow of Webb and pushed across a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Drew Stankiewicz opened the frame with a base hit -the first hit of the game for either team. With one out Damek Tomscha lined a single into right field and Darick Hall flared a bloop, RBI double up the left field line to take a 1-0 lead. Jose Pujols added a sacrifice fly, plating Tomscha for a 2-0 Reading advantage.
The Squirrels also produced their first hit of the game in the fourth. Facing starter Harold Arauz (ah-Rooz), Matt Lipka started off the inning with a bunt base hit, but he was quickly erased on a double play. That formula repeated itself on the fifth inning. Dylan Davis singled to begin the inning and Dillon Dobson bounced into a twin killing, extending the scoreless inning streak to 32.
Webb lasted a season-high six innings and received a no-decision for Richmond. The 21-year old allowed three runs on five hits. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter in his fifth Double-A start. Webb used 84 pitches in the outing.
Reading starter Arauz also did not walk a batter in his six-inning effort. Arauz blanked Richmond for six frames and struck out two. The righty scatted five hits and induced two double plays. He departed the game ahead 3-0, but still received a no-decision. Reliever Luke Leftwich (3-4) earned the win (1.2IP) and Jeff Singer shut the door in the ninth for his 11th save of the year.
The Flying Squirrels continue the final homestand of the year with the third game of four against Reading on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. LHP Conner Menez (6-4, 4.41) is scheduled to start game three vs. RHP Ranfi Casimir0 (5-3, 3.69). Wednesday in Funnville features RVA Night, Wine UP Wednesday and In-Your-Face Fireworks presented by James River Air. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN
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Chris Graham
