Lefty Matt Lujan tossed five scoreless innings and provided the winning run with a double at the plate to lead the Richmond Flying Squirrels (61-61) through a doubleheader split on Wednesday night at NYSEG Stadium. The B-Mets (66-55), utilized a six-run inning in the opener for a 7-4 win, while the Squirrels took the nightcap 2-1 behind Lujan. Derek Law closed out the Squirrels win to earn his seventh save in as many opportunities. The series concludes on Thursdaynight with RHP Chase Johnson making his Double-A debut for Richmond.
Game One – Binghamton 7, Richmond 4
The B-Mets scored six runs in the second inning en route to 7-4 victory over Richmond in game one of the doubleheader. Robert Gsellman (7-6) earned the win for Binghamton in his first career start against the Squirrels. Gsellman allowed four runs on five hits over five innings pitched.
Binghamton plated a run in the first off Squirrels starting pitcher Matt Gage. Gavin Cecchini led off with a bloop double to left and scored on a double play turned by the Squirrels off the bat of Joe Benson for a 1-0 lead.
The Mets batted around in the second inning and highlighted a six-run frame with a bases loaded double from TJ Rivera and a two-run homer off the bat of Joe Benson. Gage was unable to get out of the second and allowed seven runs on seven hits in just an inning and two thirds pitched. It was the shortest start of his career.
Devin Harris pulled the Squirrels back into contention with a massive three-run homer in the fourth. Austin Slater and Mitch Delfino reached to open the inning on consecutive hits and Harris delivered a blast to left center field to cut the deficit, 7-4.
Edwin Quirarte and Pedro Rodriguez finished out the final four and a third innings of relief by not allowing a run. Binghamton’s closer Paul Sewald hurled a scoreless seventh inning to earn his 21st save of the season.
Game Two – Richmond 2, Binghamton 1
The Squirrels snagged their first leadoff the night with a run in the fourth inning off Binghamton starter Rainy Lara. With two runners aboard, Mitch Delfino blooped a base hit into left centerfield to plate Myles Schroder from second base. Richmond then eventually loaded the bases but Devin Harris hit a hard ground ball to short for a double play.
Matt Lujan (7-5) aided his own cause with a run-scoring double in the fifth inning. With Jesus Galindo on first base, Lujan cracked a double out to deep right field to give the Squirrels a 2-0 advantage. Lujan worked five shutout innings and walked just one to earn the win. The lefty allowed three hits and struck out four in his second start since returning from the Disabled List.
The B-Mets threatened late and put up a run in the sixth inning against reliever Stephen Johnson. Binghamton loaded the bases and scored when Johnson walked Vince Belnome on a 3-2 pitch to cut the Richmond lead to 2-1. Tyler Mizenko relieved Johnson and stranded the bases loaded. Law then retired the side in order for his seventh save of the season.
The Squirrels continue their six game road trip in Binghamton on Thursday night with the series finale. RHP Chase Johnson will make his Double-A debut for the Squirrels against Mets RHP Gabriel Ynoa (8-8, 3.86). First pitch is set for 6:35 PM with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup starting at 6:05 PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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