RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Portland Sea Dogs, 9-3, on Friday night at CarMax Park.
The Flying Squirrels (71-51, 28-26) lost their third straight game to the Sea Dogs (63-60, 28-27), tied for their longest losing streak this year.
The Sea Dogs took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff double by Tyler McDonough, Justin Gonzales hit an RBI single. Two batters later, Ronald Rosario hit a two-run homer against Flying Squirrels starter Charlie McDaniel (Loss, 3-4).
In the top of the second, McDonough hit a two-run homer for a 5-0 Portland lead.
Jose Astudillo hit a two-run single in the third to close the score to 5-2, the only runs allowed over six innings by Sea Dogs starter Devin Futrell (Win, 2-0).
Portland stretched the lead to 7-2 in the sixth with a two-run homer by Brooks Brannon.
In the bottom of the eighth, Sabin Ceballos singled home Zane Zielinski to close the deficit to 7-3.
The Sea Dogs extended the lead to 9-2 in the top of the ninth with a two-run single by Will Turner.
The series continues Saturday night. Left-hander Greg Farone (5-10, 5.65) will start for Richmond opposed by Portland left-hander Michael Sansone (3-3, 5.36). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Saturday is VCU night at CarMax Park presented by Hilb Group. DJ Carter Baldwin and the Flying Squirrels’ Batter Up Brass Band will perform pregame. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Tickets for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.