Losing skid hits five in 3-1 Squirrels loss at Erie
ERIE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels took an early lead but fell to the Erie SeaWolves, 3-1, on Thursday night at UPMC Park.
ERIE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels took an early lead but fell to the Erie SeaWolves, 3-1, on Thursday night at UPMC Park.
The Flying Squirrels (12-18) dropped their fifth straight game, their longest losing streak this year, and have now lost nine-of-10, including the first three games of this week’s road series against the SeaWolves (16-11).
A Toribio triple! 🏃💨
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 9, 2024
Out in front in the fifth! pic.twitter.com/l7FS7HBokD
The Flying Squirrels took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Andy Thomas reached on a single and came in to score on a triple by Luis Toribio.
In the bottom of the fifth, the SeaWolves tied the game with an RBI triple by Carlos Mendoza, the only run allowed by Hayden Birdsong in his five-inning start.
In the bottom of the sixth, the SeaWolves took a 2-1 lead with an RBI single by Mendoza. Erie loaded the bases with one out but Wil Jensen (Loss, 1-2) struck out back-to-back batters to limit the damage.
Erie added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Gage Workman grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Chris Meyers from third.
Erie starter Wilkel Hernandez did not allow a baserunner until the fifth inning and finished his day with one run allowed and five strikeouts. Tim Naughton (Win, 3-0) threw two scoreless innings and PJ Poulin worked around a Jairo Pomares single, his first Double-A hit, to close out the game in the ninth.
Birdsong lowered his season ERA to 2.49 and allowed one run over five innings with six strikeouts.
The series continues on Friday night. Left-hander John Michael Bertrand (2-0, 1.71 ERA) will start for Richmond opposed by Erie righty Troy Melton (0-2, 3.60). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at UPMC Park.
Following the two-week road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond May 14-19 to face the Reading Fightin Phils. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 (FUNN) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.