Squirrels’ Wilson and Fitzgerald each rack up three hits in 8-5 loss

The Richmond Flying Squirrels fought from behind to tie the game on two occasions but ended up falling, 8-5, to the Harrisburg Senators Saturday night at The Diamond.

The Flying Squirrels (59-65, 19-36) used five pitchers who combined for 15 strikeouts but allowed 14 hits to the Senators (49-75, 19-36).

The Senators jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first against Richmond starter Kyle Harrison with two home runs, a three-run shot by Wilson Garcia followed by a solo home run from Trey Harris.

Richmond responded with a three-run bottom of the first inning to tie the game at 3-3 off a solo home run by Shane Matheny, an RBI single from Tristan Peters and a bases-loaded walk with Riley Mahan batting.

Darren Baker gave Harrisburg a one-run advantage in the second with an RBI single.

Will Wilson evened the score, 4-4, in the bottom of the second with a base hit that scored Tyler Fitzgerald from second base.

Facing Ofelky Peralta (Loss, 0-2) in the third, Omar Meregildo gave the Senators a 5-4 advantage with a run-scoring single. Drew Millas extended the Harrisburg lead to 7-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. It was the third home run of the game for the Senators.

Harrisburg pushed to a four-run lead in the sixth inning when Robert Hassell III lined an RBI double to center field.

In the seventh, Wilson cut the deficit to 8-5 with an RBI single. Wilson finished the night 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Fitzgerald led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk, but Zach Brzykcy (Save, 9) fired a strikeout and induced a game-ending double play to secure the Harrisburg win.

Harrisburg reliever Steven Fuentes (Win, 4-6) pitched four scoreless innings and allowed three total baserunners of a hit and two walks.

The homestand concludes on Sunday with a first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The first 1,000 kids ages 14 and under will go home with a Nutzy youth cape presented by KidMed & CKG Foundation. Kids are invited for Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 12:45-1:05 p.m. presented by Nesquik and Post-Game Kids Run the Bases following the conclusion of the game presented by Richmond Family Magazine.

Right-hander Kai-Wei Teng (5-11, 5.35) will start for Richmond opposed by left-hander Seth Romero (0-0, 4.91) for Harrisburg.

Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.

The Flying Squirrels will host their first playoff game since 2014 on Thursday, September 22 at The Diamond. Tickets for all potential playoff games in Richmond are on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com.