The 2016 season took one additional inning before coming to a close on Monday as the Flying Squirrels (62-79) fell in the season finale, 2-0 at The Diamond.
Altoona put up both runs in the 10th inning against reliever Jose Cassila to secure a spot in the Eastern League playoffs for the second consecutive season. Lost in the defeat was the stellar performance from Squirrels pitcher Andrew Suarez. The lefty Suarez tossed a career-high eight scoreless innings in the no-decision.
Needing a win to head to the postseason, Altoona managed to outlast Richmond on Labor Day at The Diamond. Curve right-hander Tyler Eppler navigated around traffic and kept Richmond off the board in his fifth start against the Squirrels.
Richmond threatened against Eppler throughout most of the afternoon as Eppler walked a season-high four batters, but managed to slip through trouble.
The Squirrels put a pair of runners on in the first and again in the second with base hits from C.J Hinojosa and Brandon Bednar. Eppler once again clamped down to keep the game scoreless. Another walk, coupled with a base hit in the third inning was also wasted by Richmond. Eppler needed 57 pitches to move through the first three innings.
Flying Squirrels lefty Andrew Suarez had an easier run of things in his final start of the season. Suarez allowed just a pair of hits over the first six innings and needed only 60 pitches to get there. Suarez was able to induce early-count outs, coupled with slow ground balls. The lefty also racked up eight strikeouts in the outing and punched out Kevin Newman to start the game. He added two more strikeouts in a 1-2-3 second inning. Suarez struck out five over the first six innings.
Eppler took Altoona through six innings and received a no-decision for his efforts. The righty worked around five hits and four walks while striking out seven in his fifth start vs. Richmond. Jared Lakind relieved Eppler and tossed three scoreless innings to earn the win. Lakeind (5-1) was nearly flawless and allowed just one hit from the seventh through the ninth.
Suarez continued to cruise for Richmond and tossed a career-high eight innings in the outing. Suarez struck out eight and allowed just a pair of hits before handing the ball of to Jose Casilla.
Casilla loaded the bases in the ninth, but dodged trouble with a double play ball to end the inning. Altoona would not be denied in the next inning, connecting on the only two runs of the afternoon. Stetson Allie drilled an RBI double to right center field for a 1-0 lead and pinch-hitter Anderson Feliz grounded a single past short for a 2-0 Altoona advantage.
With the 2-0 lead, Altoona leaned on reliever Brett McKinney for the save in the bottom of the 10th. McKinney struck out the first two hitters and ended the Richmond season on a fly ball to right center field.
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