Frisbee's strong start drives Richmond to 5-1 win

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Off a season-high performance from starting pitcher Matt Frisbee (Win, 2-4), the Richmond Flying Squirrels picked up a 5-1 win over the Harrisburg Senators Friday night at FNB Field.

The Flying Squirrels (35-26) moved back into a tie for first place in the Southwest Division with the victory.

Frisbee allowed one run, five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over a season-long 7.2 innings, the longest outing for a Richmond starter this year. It was the third quality start for him on the season and the fifth consecutive start that Frisbee has gone six or more innings in a start. Frisbee was one out away from tying a career-high mark of innings pitched.

Shane Matheny singled to lead off the game and later advanced to third base. Diego Rincones brought Matheny home with a sacrifice fly to right field and pushed Richmond ahead, 1-0.

With two runners on and one out in the sixth inning, Rincones launched a three-run home run to center field that gave the Flying Squirrels a 4-0 lead. It was the second home run of the year for Rincones, who finished the night 2-for-3 with two runs and a season-high four RBIs.

The Senators (28-33) struck back in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run from Jake Alu to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Richmond answered in the eighth inning when Sean Roby zipped an RBI double to left field that brought home Rincones and upped the advantage to 5-1.

Gray Fenter entered the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing a walk but responded with a strikeout to close the frame. In the ninth, Fenter stranded two base runners and racked up a pair of strikeouts to secure the Richmond victory.

Harrisburg starter Jake Irvin (Loss, 0-2) tossed 5.1 innings, allowing four runs and four hits with eight strikeouts.

The road trip continues for the Flying Squirrels on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. from FNB Field. Right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (2-5, 5.53) will get the start for Richmond opposed by right-hander Steven Fuentes (1-3, 3.91) for Harrisburg.

The Flying Squirrels return home for a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs June 21-26. On June 26, it is Salute to Hoops Day at The Diamond and the first 1,000 fans can go home with an 804 basketball “jersey” inspired tank top presented by Virginia Lottery. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 or at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.