Flying Squirrels snag series-opening win

The Flying Squirrels (61-67) halted the Altoona Curve’s five-game winning streak with a 3-1 win on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Richmond reliver Dusten Knight tossed three scoreless frames to earn the win and closer Sam Wolff shut the door to earn his fifth save of the year. The win kept the Squirrels elimination number at one with 11 more games to play. The final road series of the season continues with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch in game one set for 4 p.m. Richmond will wrap the road schedule on Sunday evening and return to Funnville for the last homestand of the year starting on Monday, August 27

The Squirrels offense struck for nine hits – including five for extra bases. Dillon Dobson (2-4, HR, RBI), Ryan Howard (2-3, 2B, BB) and Caleb Gindl (2-4, RBI, 3B) all had multi-hit games in the win for Richmond.

Dobson put the Squirrels on the board in the second inning. With one out, Dobson drilled a 402-foot homer over the right field fence, giving Richmond a 1-0 advantage. It was the sixth home run of the year for Dobson and his first with the Flying Squirrels since May 24.

The Squirrels added a pair of runs for a 3-0 lead on Altoona RHP Dario Agrazal in the third inning. Luigi Rodriguez jump started the offense with a bloop double up the right field line. With two outs, Ryan Howard rolled an RBI base hit into centerfield. Caleb Gindl followed with an RBI triple that he yanked up the right field line, plating Howard from first base for a 3-0 advantage.

Altoona threatened to score early and forced Richmond lefty Conner Menez out of the game after four innings and 97 pitches. Menez worked with runners on base in each inning yet was able to strand all six in his outing. Menez tossed 97 pitches over four innings. He allowed three hits and did not give up a run. The lefty walked four and struck out four in the no-decision.

Curve righty Agrazal lasted six innings but suffered the defeat. The Pittsburgh Pirates 40-man roster member allowed the three runs on eight hits in his second start of the year against Richmond. Agrazal (5-4) walked one, struck out six and tossed 91 pitches in the effort.

An early exit for Menez required a sturdy performance from the bullpen to guide the game to the finish line. Dusten Knight answered the call by tossing three scoreless innings to earn the win. Knight (4-0) allowed just a pair of hits over three frames. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Taylor Hill replaced Knight to start the bottom of the eighth inning and was touched for an unearned run. Logan Hill delivered an RBI base hit to centerfield following a botched grounder that allowed the inning to continue. Hill worked the one frame and Wolff entered for a scoreless ninth.

The Flying Squirrels continue final road trip of the season in Altoona, Pa with a doubleheader on Saturday. RHP Jake McCasland (4-6, 4.11) is scheduled to make the start in game one of the double dip against Altoona RHP James Marvel (2-1, 2.25). Lefty Garrett Williams is slated to move back into a starting role for Richmond in game two. The Curve will counter with RHP Scooter Hightower (0-1, 3.42). 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