The Flying Squirrels (46-53) dropped their sixth consecutive contest on Monday night, falling 6-4 to the Erie SeaWolves (48-52) at UPMC Park in game one of a three-game set. Richmond rallied from a 6-1 deficit with three runs in the eighth inning but left the tying and potential go-ahead runs on base. The Richmond bullpen covered five innings in the defeat with Patrick Ruotolo striking out five batters in his longest relief role of the year (2.1). Richmond will attempt to snap the slide in game two of the series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The Squirrels will return to The Diamond on Thursday, July 26 for Virginia Tech Night featuring Frank Beamer, driven by AAA.
Richmond struggled to muster much offense against Erie RHP A.J. Ladwig. The righty earned his second consecutive win against the Squirrels and lasted seven strong innings. Ladwig allowed one run on six hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter in the win.
With Ladwig out of the game in the eighth, Richmond closed the gap on a 6-1 deficit. Ali Castillo opened the inning with a base hit and reliever Mark Ecker walked three – including Ryan Howard with the bases loaded – to allow a run. A fielder’s choice from Dylan Davis produced a run and after Ecker walked Luigi Rodriguez, Erie turned to closer John Schreiber for the final five outs. Pinch-hitter Caleb Gindl singled off Schreiber to pull the Squirrels to within two, 6-4. Schreiber then escaped with the bases loaded and went on to close the door 1-2-3 in the ninth to earn his 14th save of the year.
The six consecutive losses matches the longest losing streak of the year for Richmond.
The SeaWolves jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over the first two innings. Erie grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Daz Cameron grounded in a run with a runner on third base. Danny Woodrow and Sergio Alcantara opened the frame with base hits and Cameron bounced into a double play to score the run.
The ‘Wolves made it a 3-0 lead in the second. Isaac Parades ripped a single to begin the inning ad with one out Will Maddox reached on an error at third base. Kody Eaves followed with an RBI single and Chad Sedio lofted a sacrifice fly to left.
McCasland lasted three innings and departed with a pair of runners on base. Patrick Ruotolo replaced McCasland and walked the first batter before escaping a bases loaded, no one out situation. McCasland (3-3) suffered the loss. The righty allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked two, struck out two and hit a batter.
Ruotolo was masterful in his 2.1 innings tossed. Ruotolo kept the game close following the short start for McCasland. The righty stuck out five batters and retired the final seven batters he faced. Garrett Williams worked the final two outs in the sixth and allowed a run in the seventh. Jose Flores entered in the seventh and also allowed a run.
Richmond continues their seven-game road trip with the game two of three against the Erie SeaWolves on Tuesday evening at UPMC Park. RHP Taylor Hill (0-4, 4.05) is scheduled to make the start in game two of the series against Erie LHP Alfredo Gutierrez (1-1, 3.48). The Squirrels return to Funnville on Thursday, July 26 with a celebrity appearance from former Virginia Tech football head coach Frank Beamer. Beamer joins Virginia Tech Night driven by AAA. Tickets and information can be found at www.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN (3884)
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Chris Graham
