Altoona come to battle the Flying Squirrels and Clammy Sosa

The Altoona Curve (20-12) return to the Diamond holding onto first place (but just barely) for a 4-game series against a Richmond club that has the best home record in the league. There will also be giant inflatable anthropomorphic clams.

May 13, 2010; 7:44 AM • by John Murden

The Flying Squirrels (20-13) come home after taking a series from the Harrisburg Senators (14-19) and another from Bowie Baysox (16-18). The series opener in Bowie added another reason to hate the Baysox just a little more when Bowie’s Miguel Abreu hit the first ever grandslam in Flying Squirrels history in the 4th inning. After falling behind 4-0, Richmond put 4 on the board in the 7th to tie it up. Richmond put up the winning run in the top of the 9th and Roger Kieschnick made a running catch to end the game with 2 Baysox on base and ready to go.

The Squirrels dropped the 2nd game in Bowie 6-5, despite going up 2-0 on a Kieschnick homerun in the 1st inning. Richmond won the 3rd game handily, putting the Baysox away 5-0 on 2 more Kieschnick homeruns. The win puts Daryl Maday at 6-0, tying him for the league-lead in wins with Altoona’s Jared Hughes.

Altoona comes to town 1/2 game ahead of the Flying Squirrels in the Western Division. The head-to-head games give the Flying Squirrels the opportunity to take hold first place for the first time in franchise history. The Curve were in town for 4 games just over a week ago, splitting the series 2-2 with the Flying Squirrels. Richmond leads the league with an 11-3 record at home.

The nightmare-inducing Clammy Sosa

The weekend games step-up the promotional fun. On Thursday, a date earlier billed as a “Mystery Celebrity Appearance” (I was guessing Erik Estrada), will feature former Washington Redskins running back Joe Washington. Come out to meet Washington and get an autograph. The insanity of the inflatable “Zooperstars” (including the nightmare inducing Clammy Sosa) come to the Diamond on Friday. Saturday is the pink visor give-a-way for Breast Cancer Awareness Night. On Sunday the first 2,000 fans 14-and-under will receive a Flying Squirrels Nite Light.

Thursday May 13 – 7:05PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
David Mixon (3-1, 2.27) vs Tim Alderson (2-0, 6.14)
“Come to The Diamond May 13th to meet former NFL Running Back for the Washington Redskins, Joe Washington! There will be time for autographs”

Friday May 14 – 7:05PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
“Come out to The Diamond and enjoy entertainment from the Zooperstars”

Saturday May 15 – 6:35PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
“It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night at The Diamond! The first 2,000 female fans will receive a Pink Visor presented by HCA Virginia Health System!”

Sunday May 16 – 2:05PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
“The first 2,000 fans 14 and Under will receive a Flying Squirrels Nite Light presented by Coca-Cola! It’s Sunday so that means all Squirrel Tails Kids Club members get in free!”

Eastern League Standings

Eastern Division
Club	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
New Hampshire	21	12	.636	–	9-5	12-7	5-5	W2
Portland	19	12	.613	1.0	8-7	11-5	7-3	W2
Binghamton	19	14	.576	2.0	9-7	10-7	5-5	L2
Trenton	17	15	.531	3.5	9-8	8-7	7-3	W6
Reading	12	20	.375	8.5	9-10	3-10	4-6	L2
New Britain	6	25	.194	14.0	1-16	5-9	2-8	L5

Western Division
Club	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
Altoona	20	12	.625	–	11-8	9-4	4-6	L2
Richmond	20	13	.606	0.5	11-3	9-10	6-4	W1
Erie	18	15	.545	2.5	10-6	8-9	6-4	L1
Bowie	16	18	.471	5.0	9-8	7-10	4-6	L1
Harrisburg	14	19	.424	6.5	6-11	8-8	4-6	W2
Akron	13	20	.394	7.5	3-11	10-9	5-5	W1