Flooding alters Sens' playoff plans

RICHMOND, Va. -- Heavy rains that flooded Harrisburg's Metro Bank Park forced the Senators to pack extra clothes for the Eastern League West Division Finals in Richmond.

But for Harrisonburg manager Tony Beasley, the move to Virginia will allow him to stay in his own home during the series. Beasley grew up in Bowling Green, Va., and will commute to his home about 30 miles north of Richmond during the semifinal series.

"It worked out well for me," said Beasley, standing on the field at The Diamond before Game 2 of the best-of-5 series on Saturday.

But Beasley, in his first year as Senators manager, feels for the Harrisburg fans who have had to deal with high water and flooded homes. Meanwhile, his team lost home-field advantage when the entire series was moved to Richmond.

The Senators lost Friday's opener, 6-0.

"It is totally out of our control. We have to make the best of a bad situation," Beasley said.

Game 3 is Sunday with Games 4 and 5 to be played as a doubleheader on Monday, if necessary.

"I don't like to make excuses. It is the same scenario for both teams," said Beasley, who played collegiately at Liberty University and is a former infielder in the Pirates and Orioles organizations.

The Senators won their regular-season finale Monday against Akron. They took batting practice in indoor cages at home Tuesday as heavy rains hit the mid-Atlantic region. Beasley said the Senators did no baseball activities on Wednesday, then hit in indoor cages on Thursday in Richmond.

Harrisburg had only four hits Friday against Richmond's Daryl Maday, who pitched seven scoreless innings in the series opener.

"There is no margin for error," said Beasley, who sent former Major Leaguer Shairon Martis to the mound on Saturday. The right-hander made 20 appearances, including 19 starts, for the Nationals in 2008-09.

"He should not be overwhelmed," Beasley said. "He has pitched on the biggest stage at the Major League level. He has dealt with the hype."

Richmond had won 14 of 22 meeting with Harrisburg and was 45-26 at home heading into Saturday's game. Jason Stevenson, a 30-year-old left-hander who went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA during the season, got the call for the Flying Squirrels in Game 2.