The Richmond Flying Squirrels (17-12) jumped on the harrisburg senators (8-20) early and never looked back in an, 8-2, series-opening victory on Monday night at Metro Bank Park.
The Squirrels sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning and raced out to a 4-0 lead against right-hander Paolo Espino. Tyler Graham, returning from the disabled list, was hit by a pitch to get things started. Matt Duffy followed and yanked a double up the third-base line. jarrett parker knocked in the first run with a ground out and Mario Lisson made it 2-0 with a single through the left side to plate Duffy. An out later, Myles Schroder drew a walk. Devin Harris followed and cranked a two-run double into the left-field corner.
After Jack Snodgrass struck out to lead off the second, Richmond got right back after Espino. Graham, Duffy and Parker recorded three consecutive opposite-field singles, with Parker’s single to left knocking in Graham. An out later, Angel Villalona singled to center field. Duffy scored for a 6-0 Squirrels’ lead.
Espino (0-1) settled in through the fourth, but departed to the loss after four innings. He was charged with six earned runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four.
Snodgrass cruised through the first four innings, but found some trouble in the fifth. Sean Nicol led off with a single, and a batter later, Snodgrass walked Colin Bates. Cutter Dykstra followed with an infield-single, which Duffy fielded, but through wildly into right field while trying to record an out at second base. The Senators first run of the night scored on the error. Their second run scored on a sacrifice-fly from Caleb Ramsey as the Richmond lead was cut to 6-2.
Snodgrass (2-0) departed to the win after 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs – one earned. He conceded six hits, all singles, walked one and struck out a season-high seven.
Richmond padded their lead with lone runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Their run in the seventh came off right-hander Colin Bates. Parker knocked it in with a single. Duffy scored the run after notching his second double of the night to lead off the frame. The run in the eighth was knocked in by Duffy as he singled home Harris. It was Duffy’s fourth hit of the night, representing a new career-high, and putting Richmond on top, 8-2.
A trio of relievers finished the victory for the Squirrels. Lefty Josh Osich followed Snodgrass and recorded four outs. Left-hander Bryce Bandilla handled an uneventful eighth and righty Cody Hall polished off the win with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday night at Metro Bank Park. Richmond LHP Kelvin Marte (1-1, 5.85) will make the start against Harrisburg LHP Matt Purke (0-5, 9.30). Pregame coverage will begin on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com at 6:30 p.m.
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