Game 33: Flying Squirrels 6, Senators 3 (11)
After yesterday's injury to Erik Davis and subsequent workload on the bullpen, one of the last things manager Tony Beasley needed was tonight's starter Ryan Tatusko racking up big pitch counts each inning preventing him from going deep into the game. He also could have done without reliever Cory VanAllen having his first bad outing in almost a month forcing his hand with Hassan Pena at least an inning earlier than he would have liked. The Senators' skipper also would have probably traded anything for today's game to not go into extra innings and tax the already thin and weary bullpen. And for sure, the absolute very last thing he needed was to have all of those worst-case scenarios happen and for the Senators to still lose the game.
But that's exactly what he got tonight as Harrisburg dropped the opening game of their series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-3 in 11 innings. The loss dropped the Senators back to a game below .500 and put even more pressure on Brad Peacock to be the stopper and ace of this staff as he goes tomorrow night.
Offensively, the Senators couldn't come through in the clutch when they needed it most as they stranded 11 men on base and collectively went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Three runs might not look like bad production but besides Tyler Moore's solo home run in the 6th, the others scored as a result of Richmond wild pitches and errors.
After a rough first inning that saw him surrender two runs, Tatusko regrouped to hold the Flying Squirrels scoreless the rest of the way as he was pulled after throwing 94 pitches in 4.2 innings. Closer Ryan Mattheus took his first loss of the season as Johnny Monell hit a 2-out, 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to secure the victory for Richmond.
The Sports 'Burger Star of the Game: Chris Rahl (4-4, 1BB, 1HBP)
Next Game: Tomorrow at 7:05 PM @ The Diamond
Probables: Brad Peacock (HAR) 4-1, 2.29 ERA vs. Justin Fitzgerald (RIC) 2-2, 3.99 ERA
Posted by Mick Reinhard at 5/12/2011 11:30 PM 
Categories: Mayflies and Big Flies
Tags: Harrisburg Senators Richmond Flying Squirrels Ryan Tatusko Brad Peacock Chris Rahl Ryan Mattheus
Categories: Mayflies and Big Flies
Tags: Harrisburg Senators Richmond Flying Squirrels Ryan Tatusko Brad Peacock Chris Rahl Ryan Mattheus
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