Richmond Flying Squirrels snap losing skid, top Senators, 2-1

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (65-44) snuck past the Harrisburg Senators (43-64), 2-1, to snap a three-game slide on Monday night at The Diamond.

The Senators took the lead with an unearned run in the second inning off of right-hander Clayton Blackburn.  Blackburn issued a one-out walk to Cole Leonida.  Adrian Sanchez then sent a ball on the ground to the shortstop, Kelby Tomlinson.  He misplayed the ball into left-center field.  Leonida advanced to third on the initial error on the play.  The throw in from left then skipped past second base and Leonida scored on the second error for a 1-0 lead.

Richmond drew even with their first run in the third inning against righty Brian Dupra.  Tomlinson redeemed himself with a one-out single back through the middle.  He then stole second base and advanced to third when Leonida threw into right-center field.  An out later, jarrett parker looped a single to left-center field to tie the game, 1-1.

On a short pitch count, Blackburn called it a night after four innings.  He was charged with one unearned run on two hits.  He walked two, hit one and struck out five.  He did not factor in the decision.

The Squirrels pulled ahead with a run in the fifth inning.  Relief pitcher Jose Casilla sparked the uprising with a lead-off single.  An out later, Dupra walked Kelby Tomlinson to put two aboard.  Matt Duffy lined out, but Parker then laced a ball into left field.  His second RBI single plated Casilla and put Richmond in front, 2-1.

Dupra (1-5) pitched well across six innings but took the hard-luck loss.  He allowed two earned runs on six hits, walked one and struck out five.

Right-hander Jose Casilla (4-0) earned the win in relief, turning in 2 1/3 scoreless innings behind Blackburn.  Casilla led a strong showing from the Richmond bullpen as a whole.  Lefty Phil McCormick bridged the game to the ninth inning with 1 2/3 scoreless innings before righty Cody Hall worked a perfect ninth inning for his 11^th save of the season.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night.  Richmond LHP Adalberto Mejia (5-6, 5.52) will make the start against Harrisburg RHP Austin Voth (0-0, 0.00).  The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup begins at 6:35 p.m. on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.