The Flying Squirrels (10-30) woes continued on Friday night against the Erie SeaWolves (17-23), dropping the series opener on Friday, 6-1 at The Diamond.
Tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Erie poured on five runs in the frame en route to the win over Richmond in front of 8,110. It was the 14th consecutive loss for the Flying Squirrels, one shy of the franchise record set last year. Chase Johnson was superb for Richmond in his seventh start of the season. Johnson allowed one unearned run over 6 2/3 innings but earned a no-decision. Richmond continues the three game homestand on Saturday, May 21st with Superblast Saturday Fireworks. Gates open at 5:00 PM The full promotional schedule can be found here.
ChaseJohnson started the contest for the Squirrels looking to snap the 13 game losing streak. Johnson allowed a walk and base hit to begin the game but was able to induce a double play to keep Erie off the board. The Squirrels were quckly able to provide Johnson with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Slater drew a walk with two outs and advanced to second on a base hit of the bat of Tyler Horan. Hunter Cole then kept it going with a line drive to left center field to plate Slater for the 1-0 lead.
Johnson then moved through the second inning with a 1-2-3 frame and maneuvered around a leadoff walk, double and hit batter in the third. With the bases loaded Dean Green pooped out to end the threat. Erie put another pair of runners on in the fourth inning but Myles Schroder made a diving catch in left to quell the rally and keep the 1-0 lead intact. The heavy traffic on the bases left Johnson at 74 pitches after four innings.
The SeaWolves were forced to turn to their bullpen first in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ali Castillo reached on a bunt base hit with one out and Fernandez walked Rando Moreno, signaling the end of his evening. Erie brought in leftMatt Crouse with the two runners aboard and Crouse eluded trouble with a pair of outs. Fernandez hurled 4 1/3 innings and allowed the one run on four hits in the no decision He departed trailing 1-0.
Johnson carried the game with a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning. Johnson allowed aleadoff single to Connor Harrell but then induced his second double play of the game. The next batter Harold Castro connected on a base hit to end his outing. Johnson was relieved by lefty Christian Jones with two outs and a runner aboard. Jones faltered as he thre away a pick off move to first, allowing Castro to motor over the third base. Jason Krizan then tied the game on a slow infield chopper to second base, 1-1-.
Johnson finished with 6 /23 innings of work in the no-decision. He allowed one unearned run on four hits and tossed 97 pitches in his seventh start of the season.
Tied 1-1, the negative vibes continued once again for the Squirrels into the eighth inning. Erie would grab a commanding 6-1 lead off Jones by sending nine men to the plate. Jeff McVaney started it off with a single and Dean Green followed with a high-arching bloop base hit. JaCoby Jones then walked and Corey Jones delivered the devastating bow with a bases-clearing double to left. Jones surrendered five runs on six hits to take the loss.
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Chris Graham
