Squirrels squander six straight runs in 6-5 loss to Sens

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels lost, 6-5, in extra innings to the Harrisburg Senators on Friday night at FNB Field for their third consecutive defeat.

The Flying Squirrels (4-3) held a five-run lead through four innings but allowed six unanswered runs to the Senators (4-3).

Leading, 5-4, in the bottom of the ninth, Richmond reliever Evan Gates (Loss, 0-1) allowed a leadoff triple, setting up an RBI double by Leonal Valera to even the score, 5-5.

Richmond went scoreless in the top of the tenth after Tyler Fitzgerald was thrown out at home plate attempting to score on a ground ball, followed by two strikeouts by Harrisburg reliever Amos Willingham (Win, 2-0).

In the bottom of the 10th, Jose Sanchez lined an RBI single to center field that scored Frankie Tostado from second and gave the Senators their third win of the series.

Brett Auerbach started the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning to give Richmond a 1-0 advantage.

Way, way Bach and GONE pic.twitter.com/LtxXnEuVkI

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 14, 2023

With runners at first and second and two outs in the third, Auerbach launched an RBI double to left field and push the Flying Squirrels to a two-run lead. Auerbach finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

Bach for more 💪 pic.twitter.com/MYqRWaYc7D

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 14, 2023

The Flying Squirrels tacked on three runs in the fourth to extend their lead to 5-0. Carter Aldrete led off the frame with a solo home run, his second of the series, and Simon Whiteman drove a run-scoring single.

Carter Aldrete goes oppo 🌮 pic.twitter.com/59Dxfwt02y

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 15, 2023

Later in the inning, Harrisburg reliever Joel Peguero balked to send Hayden Cantrelle home from third base and push the Richmond lead to 5-0.

The Senators struck back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth with a two-RBI triple by J.T. Arruda, closing the score to 5-2.

Harrisburg moved the score to 5-4 in the seventh after a wild pitch scored Sanchez from third base and Valera bounced into an RBI groundout.

In his second Double-A start, Nick Zwack allowed two runs, three hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Erik Miller racked up three strikeouts over 1.2 innings of work.

Blake Rivera struck out four Senators over 1.2 innings and left two runners in scoring position stranded in a scoreless eighth inning.

The Flying Squirrels return home Tuesday to start a six-game series against the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.