The Harrisburg Senators won the rubber match against the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-2 Sunday afternoon at the Diamond. Kelvin Gutierrez finished a home-run shy of the cycle and Jefry Rodriguez tossed six and a third terrific innings as the Senators captured their third straight road series.
The Harrisburg Senators won the rubber match against the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-2 Sunday afternoon at the Diamond. Kelvin Gutierrez finished a home-run shy of the cycle and Jefry Rodriguez tossed six and a third terrific innings as the Senators captured their third straight road series.
The Senators jumped to a one-run lead three batters into the first inning. Stephen Perez doubled with one out and the next batter, Kelvin Gutierrez, singled him home to put the Senators ahead 1-0.
Senators starter Jefry Rodriguez faced the minimum and did not allowed a hit through the first four and a third innings. Richmond picked up their first hit on a solo home run by Jerry Sands with one out in the fifth which tied the game at 1-1.
That was the only run Rodriguez (3-3) allowed along with five hits in six and a third innings.
Drew Ward gave the Senators the lead for good in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded on a pair of walks and a single, Ward smoked a double down the right field line to give the Senators a 3-1 advantage.
The Senators added a run in the seventh. With Daniel Johnson at third on a triple, Gutierrez lined an RBI double to left.
The Senators plated another pair of runs in the top of the eighth without recording a hit. After the Senators loaded the bases, Khayyan Norfork was hit by a pitch which forced in the first run. The next batter, Johnson, reached on a drop fly ball by left-fielder Dylan Davis which allowed another run to score.
After the Squirrels put a run on the board in the eighth, the Senators finished the scoring in the top of the ninth. Gutierrez led off the frame with a triple, his fourth hit of the game, and scored on a double by Jaron Long. The next batter, Zach Collier, singled to left to plate the final Senators run as the team took an 8-2 lead and that would be the final score.
Mike Connolly (1-2) took the loss after surrendering three runs and three and two-thirds innings of relief.
Gutierrez became the second Senators player this season to record four or more hits, as he finished 4-5 with a triple, double and two RBI.
After an off-day on Monday, the Senators open a seven-game homestand, beginning with a three-game series against the Erie SeaWolves which starts Tuesday night. Kyle McGowin starts the series opener for the Senators against Erie starter Tyler Alexander. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at FNB Field. The game can be heard on CBS Sports Harrisburg 96.5 & 95.3 FM and 1400 AM or at www.cbssportsharrisburg.com beginning at 6:15 p.m.
