Squirrels hope to derail Altoona juggernaut

So you might not like sports OR baseball. BUT DO YOU LIKE ALLIGATORS? Specifically, alligator wrestling? Yeah I thought so.

June 18, 2010; 10:55 AM • by John Murden

The league-leading Altoona Curve (41-23) are in town for a 3-game series. There will also be alligator wrasslin’.

Richmond (32-33) and Altoona have split their 8 games so far this season at the Diamond, with the Flying Squirrels handing the Curve 4 of the 10 road losses in 2010. If the Squirrels pitching holds up AND the boys can manage a few runs, Richmond could pick up a series win and get back up towards the top of the division.

The Binghamton Mets came to town for their first and only visit of the season. After winning the first game, the Flying Squirrels dropped the next two, including a nailbiter of a pitchers’ duel last night. Felix Romero held the Mets to 1 run in six innings and Tony Pena Jr, Jake Stephens, and Rafael Cova combined for 3 scoreless innings but the quiet Richmond bats doomed the Squirrels to a 1-0 loss. It was very different from the 11-2 blowout of the previous night, a prime example of how things go wrong for the Squirrels against a team that can really score.

Like Binghamton, Altoona can score some runs. They also lead the league in NOT letting their opponents score. Three of the top 8 pitchers by ERA are on the Altoona staff: Derek Hankins (5-1, 1.82), Rudy Owens (6-3, 2.92), and Justin Wilson (5-4, 3.02). Two of the others are Flying Squirrels, though – Daryl Maday (8-2, 2.02) and David Mixon (7-3, 3.08).

June 18 7:05PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
Maday (8-2, 2.02) vs Hughes (8-3, 4.08)
Fans are invited to come out and enjoy Alligator Wrestling at The Diamond!

June 19 6:35PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
It’s Military Appreciation Night at The Diamond! The first 3,000 fans 21 and Older will receive a Camo Cap presented by Budweiser! There will also be appearances from SGT. Slaughter and Uncle Sam!

June 20 5:05PM (HOME)
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Altoona Curve
It’s Fathers Day at The Diamond, as well as Prostate Cancer Awareness Night! The first 3,000 fans 15 and Older will receive a BBQ Apron Giveaway presented by HCA Virginia Health System!