Matt Lujan blanked the Senators over seven innings on Wednesday night in a 3-0 Squirrels victory at The Diamond in front of a sellout crowd of 9,560 fans.
Lujan stuck out seven batters to give the Squirrels the series win and consecutive wins for just the second time this month. All three starting pitcher, Joe Biagini, Kelvin Marte and Lujan lasted at least seven innings in the series. Juan Ciriaco doubled for the third straight night to aid the offense. The Squirrels (64-64) finish the season series 9-7 against Harrisburg and begin an eight game road trip on Thursday in Akron. The sellout crowd was the 6th of the year. There are only four home games remaining in the 2015 season.
Matt Lujan worked around early trouble and escaped a bases loaded, no one out threat in the second inning. The Squirrels offensively then loaded the bases against Harrisburg starting pitcher Colin Bates in the bottom of the inning and took the lead 1-0 on a base hit from the catcher Eliezer Zambrano.
The Squirrels added two more runs in the third inning for a 3-0 lead against Bates to assist Lujan. Austin Slater reached on an infield single and moved to third when Juan Ciriaco laced a double to right. Hunter Cole then hit a single to left field to score Slater. Mitch Delfino brought home Ciriaco with a bunt onto the left side of the mound.
The Squirrels defense turned a pair of double plays behind Lujan in the early innings, allowing the lefty to throw just 52 pitches over four frames. Lujan (8-5) eventually picked up the win by tossing seven scoreless innings in his 18th start of the year. He allowed five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts on 107 pitches. Lujan has not allowed an earned run over his last 21 2/3 innings. Pedro Rodriguez collected the final four outs to earn his first save of the year.
The Squirrels embark on an eight game road trip, beginning Thursday in Akron. Squirrels RHP Chase Johnson (0-1, 11.25) will make the start against Akron RHP Adam Plutko (8-5, 3.13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with the Pregame Warmup beginning at 6:35 PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com. The Remaining Squirrels promotional schedule is as follows: (9/4) Free Shirt Fridays, Happy Hour & Ladies Night. (9/5) Superblast Saturday and 20th Anniversary of Billy Madison. (9/6) Kids Club Metal Lunchbox Giveaway. (9/7) Bark In the Park #3 – Labor Day.
Share
Contributors
