Squirrels Take Back-and-Forth Affair in Extras

RICHMOND, Va.  - The Portland Sea Dogs had the lead on two separate occasions in Richmond on Sunday afternoon, but when all was said and done, the Richmond Flying Squirrels got the final say. The Flying Squirrels erased a 4-3 deficit in the bottom of the tenth inning, scoring twice on three consecutive singles, upending the Sea Dogs, 5-4, in front of 8,017 fans at the Diamond.

The Flying Squirrels opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Cavan and Gary Brown started the frame with back-to-back singles, before Nick Liles bunted both runners into scoring position. That allowed the following batter, Daniel Mayora, to pick up an RBI, as he singled to center field. With Tommy Joseph at the plate, Richmond added its second run, as Brown scampered home on a wild pitch by Stolmy Pimentel.

The lead was short-lived, as the Sea Dogs answered with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth. Juan Linares led off with a single, and cruised his way around the rest of the bases, as Bryce Brentz launched his ninth home run of the season to left field.

In the sixth inning, Portland took the lead for the first time in the afternoon, and for the second time in the game, the run came courtesy of the long ball. Juan Carlos Linares took a 1-0 pitch, and deposited it over the left field wall for his eighth home run of the season.

Stolmy Pimentel gave the Sea Dogs seven strong innings, in the longest start of his Double-A career. In that time, he allowed two runs, five hits, and one walk, while striking out three, receiving a no-decision. Andy Reichard also received a no-decision, tossing six innings, allowing three runs, five hits, and one walk, while striking out four for the Flying Squirrels.

Neither starting pitcher earned a decision, because Richmond knotted the score in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, Daniel Mayora singled, and stole second base. After a fly out by Tommy Joseph, Russell Mitchell laced a run-scoring double to center field, plating Mayora.

Portland regained the lead in the tenth inning, as they manufactured the go-ahead run. Oscar Tejeda led off with a single, was bunted to second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With one out in the frame, Bryce Brentz drove a fly ball to left field that resulted in an out, but the ball was deep enough for Tejeda to score.

However, the Flying Squirrels had an answer in the bottom half of the frame, erasing the deficit, and turning it into a win. With two outs and a runner on base Tommy Joseph started a string of three straight singles. The second hit came off of Russell Mitchell's bat, driving in Nick Liles with the tying run. John Eshleman ended up pinch running for Joseph, and was rewarded with the winning run, as Juan Perez blooped a single into center field, ending the game.

Edwin Quirarte (2-0) allowed one run in two innings for the win, defeating Aaron Kurcz (2-3), who gave up two runs in one and two-thirds innings.

After an off day on Monday, the Sea Dogs will return to Hadlock Field on Tuesday, where they will play a three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators. Anthony Renaudo (1-2, 6.51) will be Portland's starting pitcher in the series opener, which begins at 7:00.