Flying Squirrels split a set with Altoona, head out for Harrisburg

The Flying Squirrels (16-11) head out to face the Harrisburg Senators (11-16), still hot but a little battered after a 5-2 homestand.

May 7, 2010; 7:57 AM • by John Murden

The Squirrels came back home to Richmond last Friday and proceeded to take 3 straight and 2nd place from the Bowie Baysox (15-13). The division-leading Altoona Curve (18-8) came to visit and won 2 of their 4 games at the Diamond, including a lopsided 9-1 victory on Tuesday. On loan from the Pittsburg Pirates for a rehab start, Ross “The Boss” Ohlendorf pitched 4 no-run innings in the other Richmond loss on Wednesday.

The Squirrels hit the road to play three at the Metro Bank Park with the Harrisburg Senators, the first time that these two clubs have met. This is a series that could’ve been a look at one of the hottest players in the Eastern League: up until a few days ago, Stephen Strasburg, the highest touted pitcher in all of the minor leagues, was unbeaten, leading the league in ERA, and set to pitch this weekend. Strasburg got bumped up, though, and will be starting for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs instead of Harrisburg. It would probably not be accurate to say that Strasburg “fled the approach of the mighty Flying Squirrels”, but it’s fun to get the idea out there. Know who’s unbeaten and leads the league in ERA today? Richmond’s Daryl Maday (4-0, 1.19)…

The Senators trail the league in offense, with a team batting average of .215 and only 76 runs scored (the only team with less runs than the Flying Squirrels). Richmond leads the league in ERA at 2.59 and runs allowed at 76, though, while Harrisburg is back a ways and just lost their best pitcher. This ought to be a chance for the Squirrels to make up some ground on the 5-8 road record.

Three of the Flying Squirrels are on the Disabled List: 3B Skyler Stromsmoe, catcher Matt Klimas, and 1B Andy D’Alessio. Darren Ford is not on the DL but took a few days out of the line-up after leaving Sunday’s game following a collision in the outfield. The Squirrels received journeyman infielder Juan Ciriaco received from the AAA Fresno Grizzlies on Thursday.

Friday May 7 – 7:00PM (AWAY)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators
RHP Daryl Maday (4-0, 1.19) vs RHP Erik Arneson (0-1, 2.29)

Saturday May 8 – 7:00PM (AWAY)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators

Sunday May 9 – 2:00PM (AWAY)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators