'Wolves Beat Squirrels 9-4...Claim First Place in West
The SeaWolves struck first in the top of the first inning against Richmond starter David Mixon. Justin Henry led off the game with a single to left and Andy Dirks followed with a two-run home run to right, his fifth, putting the 'Wolves ahead 2-0.
The Squirrels tied the game in the bottom of the fourth against Erie starter Duane Below. Connor Gillaspie led off with a single and Juan Ciriaco doubled putting runners on second and third. With one out, Clay Timpner walked to load the bases for Jackson Williams. Williams walked, making it a 2-1 game. Nick Noonan then hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Ciriaco, tying the game at 2-2.
The SeaWolves then exploded for a huge top of the fifth inning to take control of the game. Shawn Roof led off with an infield single and Henry singled to right putting two on for Dirks. Dirks came up with another big hit as he doubled home both runners for a 4-2 lead. Wilkin Ramirez then slammed his ninth home run of the season over the wall in left, giving Erie a 6-2 lead. The Ramirez home run would be the last pitch Mixon threw in the game has the SeaWolves chased the Richmond starter allowing a season-high six runs in a season-low four-plus innings pitched. The 'Wolves would go back-to-back as Cesar Nicolas stepped in and homered to straight away center against reliever Felix Romero. Michael Bertram then singled to left, his second hit of the game. Bertram has now hit safely in 11 consecutive games. He would eventually score on an error after Jeff Kunkel reached on an infield single giving Erie an 8-2 lead.
Richmond would get two back in the bottom of the fifth against reliever Jay Voss. Darren Ford walked, Brandon Crawford singled and Thomas Neal reached on an error loading the bases with no outs. Gillaspie singled home ford making it an 8-3 game. Ciriaco hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Crawford, cutting the Erie lead in half at 8-4. The Squirrels would get no closer.
The 'Wolves would add a ninth run in the top of the eight to go ahead 9-4. Kunkel led off with a single and moved to third on a Roof double. Kunkel would score on a single to left by Dirks. Dirks finished the day with a season-high five RBI.
For the second straight night, the SeaWolves collected season-highs in hits as they banged out 16. The three home runs equals a single game high for the 'Wolves.
Anthony Shawler (1-0) picked up the win for Erie tossing three scoreless innings in relief.
The 'Wolves are now a season-high seven-games over .500 and have won 23 of their last 31 games. With Altoona falling to Akron, Erie now leads the Western Division by a half game over the Curve.
The SeaWolves look for a series sweep on Thursday morning at The Diamond...10:35 a.m. First Pitch. Righty Thad Weber (2-3, 4.85 ERA) takes the mound for the 'Wolves against LHP Craig Clark (2-2, 4.05 ERA).
NOTES -
- Justin Henry has hit safely in four straight and has three consecutive multi-hit games. Henry has 10 hits and has reached base safely 13 times in his last four games.
- Michael Bertram has hit safely in 11 straight and in 22 of his last 24 games.
- The SeaWolves are 13-10 on the road and 5-1 on the current road trip.