Richmond gives up 5-run lead, lose series to Harrisburg 3-1 (June 10,2018)

By:Darrell Owens

The Richmond Flying Squirrels came into today’s game vs the Harrisburg Senators with an 31-28 record, only two and half games out of 1st place in the Eastern League’s Western Division. Players like 1st Basemen  Jerry Sands (9 home runs) ,RF Luigi Rodriguez  (.377 Batting Average, 2nd in Double A), and Pitcher Cory Taylor (Tied 1st in Double A within 8 wins) have been some of leaders on this team to help get the Squirrels where they are at this point in the 2018 season. This home series for the Squirrels has been an back in forth affair. Game 1 on Friday, June 8 was a nail-biter. Washington National star 2B Daniel Murphy, who is on rehab assignment for the Nationals with Harrisburg, hit the go-head Home-Run in the Top Of The 8th to seal the victory. On Saturday, June 9th, the two teams battle in a double-header at The Diamond with each team taking a game. Check out LMS Network’s Adam Falls article about yesterday’s double header.

Now that brings us to today’s game, the Squirrels were desperately trying to get a split in the series and they showed early that they meant business. In the bottom of the 2nd, Squirrels Outfielder Matt Lipka would knock in 2 runs with a single towards the shortstop, given the Squirrels the early 2-0 lead. In the top of the 4th inning, the Senators would start to make their presence felt as 2B Austin Davidson would drive in a run with a Sacrifice fly towards left field bringing the game a little closer 2-1 going in to the bottom of the 4th. Squirrels were not ready to relinquish the lead just yet. The Squirrels bats would catch fire in the fourth scoring 4 runs. Luigi Rodriguez, 2B Miguel Gomez and SS Ryan Howard all drove in runs in the 4th for Richmond expanding their lead to 6-1. Richmond Starting Pitcher Jordan Johnson pitched 5 innings with one unearned run, once Johnson left the game the tide would turn in this game.

Just when you thought the Squirrels were well on their way to winning this ballgame the Senators had other plans. In the top of the six, an RBI single by SS Osvaldo Abreu along with CF Zach Collier crushing a 3-run homer, put Harrisburg one run off the lead 6-5. Three innings later in the Top Of The 9th, Senators 3B Kelvin Gutierrez hits a 2-run homer to give the Senators their first and only lead of the game 7-6. In the bottom of the ninth, the Squirrels were not able to muster up any momentum to tie the game. Harrisonburg would go on to win the game 7 to 6.

Richmond (31-29) loses the series 3 to 1, they start a new series on Tuesday versus the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox Affiliate).