Squirrels stymied by Sea Dogs in series finale

Veteran hurler Mitch Atkins and the Sea Dogs staff limited the Squirrels to two hits in a 7-1 Portland (21-41) win over Richmond (24-39) on Sunday at Hadlcok Field.

Atkins retired the first 16 batters of the game and did not allow a hit until Christian Arroyo double to start the seventh. Squirrels lefty Andrew Suarez took the loss and allowed four runs over six innings in the outing. The Squirrels closed out the six-game road trip with a 4-2 record but dropped the series in Portland.

The Squirrels struggled offensively against Portland’s Mitch Atkins in the series finale Sunday. Atkins cruised through the Squirrels lineup and needed just 12 pitches in the first inning and nine pitches in the second to pick up the game’s first six outs. Portland provided Atkins a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as Anuery Tavarez lifted a solo home run over the leftfield wall offRichmond starting pitcher Andrew Suarez. Tavarez finished the game with three hits.

Suarez moved on from the homer and retired the side in order in the third inning. The lefty struck out Andrew Benintendi to end the inning but ran into trouble in the third frame. Nate Freiman opened the third with an infield single and came around to score on a triple from Rainel Rosario for a 2-0 Portland edge. The Sea Dogs were then aided by a wind-blown double off the bat of Tavarez for a 3-0 lead.

Atkins continued to stymie the Squirrels and retired the first 16 batters of the game. Steve Lerud drew a walk in the sixth inning to become the first base runner of the game for Richmond but was stranded on first base. Atkins remained hitless through six innings and did not allow a base hit until Christian Arroyo doubled to start the seventh. Atkins was removed for Luis Ysla after the hit and Ricky Oropesa put the Squirrles on the board with a single to right field. Atkins(2-2) earned the win and allowed just the one hit and one run with seven strikeouts in the effort.

Suarez continued on for the Squirrels into the bottom of the seventh but a Tavarezsingle to open the inning ended his outing. Portland then took advantage of an error and walk to load the bases and Ryan Court delivered a two-run single for a 5-1 lead. Portland added two more runs in the inning to pull ahead 7-1. Suarez (2-3) was the losing pitcher and allowed four runs on eight hits in the defeat.