Richmond wins: Flying Squirrels keep playoff hopes alive

It could all come down to tomorrow afternoon at The Diamond. The Richmond Flying Squirrels (71-68) defeated Reading 2-1 on Sunday afternoon but have to wait for the results of the Binghamton/Altoona Sunday night contest to see if their playoff hopes will be alive in the season final on Monday afternoon. An Altoona Curve loss Sunday night will pull both Richmond and Akron to within one game of the wild card on the last day of the year.  Richmond holds the tie breaking scenarios over both Akron and Altoona. The Squirrels will throw LHP Matt Lujan tomorrow afternoon with first pitch at 12:05 PM. All Pregnant women receive free admission in honor of “Labor Day”. It is also Bark in the Park, $1 hot dogs all game and happy hour from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Reading (80-60) grabbed a first inning lead for the third consecutive game. Squirrels starting pitcher Kelvin Marte allowed a base hit to KC Serna to open the game. Serna motored around the bases on a double slicing down the left field line off the bat of Cam Perkins for a 1-0 lead.

The Squirrels failed to quickly tie the game in the first inning despite loading the bases against Reading right-hander Ben Lively. Devin Harris struck out to end the first to slide Lively out of the jam. The Squirrels managed to tie the game on Lively with an unearned run in the second inning. Engel Beltre led off by reaching on an error and moved to second on a groundout. Pitcher Kelvin Marte then delivered a base hit through the left side of the infield to tie the game, 1-1.

Richmond scored the game-winning run off Reading reliever Ryan O’Sullivan in the seventh inning. Jesus Galindo drew a walk to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Juan Ciriaco singled into centerfield to plate Galindo and give Richmond a 2-1 edge.

Marte allowed the lone run on seven hits over six innings in a no decision. Kyle Crick entered in the seventh with the game still tied and hurled a scoreless sinning to earn the win. Jose Casilla picked up the hold and Derek Law locked down the victory with his 13^th save of the season.

Lively also received a no decision over six innings of work. He struck out seven and allowed seven hits on just 80 pitches in the outing.  O’Sullivan took the loss by allowing the run in the seventh.

The Squirrels final game of the regular season is on Monday afternoon at The Diamond. Squirrels LHP Matt Lujan (8-6, 3.28) will make the start against Reading RHP Nick Pivetta (2-4, 7.27). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 with the Pregame Warmup beginning at11:35 AM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com