Flying Squirrels fall in finale on walk-off wild pitch

ERIE, Pa. -  The Erie SeaWolves defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 6-5, on a walk-off wild pitch on Wednesday at UPMC Park.

With the loss, Richmond (12-23) loses the series after winning the first game of the series on Monday. It is the second-straight walk-off loss for the Flying Squirrels.
Right-hander Melvin Adon (1-3) walked Luke Burch to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Then, after striking out Cam Gibson, Isaac Paredes doubled to put runners on second and third. Following an intentional walk to Josh Lester to load the bases, Adon uncorked a wilk pitch, allowing Burch to score the winning run.
Alfred Gutierrez kept Erie (19-16) hitless through the first three innings before allowing a run in the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Lester and Daniel Pinero. Gutierrez completed five innings for the second straight start, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out a season-high six batters.
The Flying Squirrels broke through with two home runs to take the lead against right-hander Casey Mize in the sixth. With Jalen Miller at second and one out, Jacob Heyward lifted an 0-1 pitch over the right field fence for a two-run shot to give Richmond a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Gio Brusa crushed a line drive, two-run homer to right-center field to put the Flying Squirrels up 4-1.
The SeaWolves tied the game the bottom of the sixth, when Pinero smacked a three-run home run off of left-hander Sandro Cabrera. Chace Numata gave Erie the lead back in the seventh with a leadoff long ball.
Richmond re-tied the game in the eighth. After Heyward doubled to start the inning, back-to-back one-out walks loaded the bases for Hamlet Marte , who brought in a run with a fielder's choice.
The Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond on Thursday to begin a seven-game, eight-day homestand with a four-game set against the Akron Rubberducks when left-hander Conner Menez  (2-2, 2.27 ERA) is scheduled to face Akron right-hander Eli Morgan (0-0, 1.69 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and coverage begins with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup at 6:05.
 
The first 1,000 fans 15 and older to arrive at the ballpark on Thursday will receive a rally-towel featuring the Flying Squirrels' venerable clubhouse manager, Joe T. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Following the game, enjoy In-Your-Face Fireworks from up close and inside the fences.
 
Tickets are on sale now for the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Week presented by Genworth. The All-Star Week festivities begin on Sunday, July 7 with Mayor Levar Stoney's All-Star Week Kickoff on Brown's Island, followed by the All-Star Country Music Jam on Monday, July 8, headlined by Big & Rich with special guests Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway. The Celebrity Home Run Derby is Tuesday, July 9 and the festivities wrap up with the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 10.  
 
For tickets or more information, call 804-359-3866 (FUNN), visit SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets or stop by the Flying Squirrels box office. 
 
-SQUIRRELS-