HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels opened an early lead and beat the Harrisburg Senators, 7-2, on Thursday night at FNB Field.
The Flying Squirrels (65-45, 22-20 second half) knocked 13 hits to pick up their second straight win over the Senators (56-55, 22-20).
In the top of the first, Dayson Croes singled and Gavin Kilen doubled to set up an RBI single by Sabin Ceballos.
Later in the inning, Maui Ahuna singled home a run and Jack Payton hit a sacrifice fly to open a 3-0 Flying Squirrels lead against Senators starter Yoel Tejeda Jr. (Loss, 0-3).
Richmond added another run in the top of the second with another RBI single by Ceballos for a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second, Caleb Lomavita closed the score to 4-1 with an RBI single, the only run allowed over five innings by Richmond starter Yunior Marte (Win, 1-4). He finished his night with seven strikeouts.
Kilen tripled with two outs in the fourth and scored on a Harrisburg error. In the fifth, Ahuna led off with a single and later scored on a single by Jancel Villarroel to extend the lead to 6-1.
The Senators plated a run in the bottom of the eighth to close the score to 6-2.
Kilen hit his second triple of the game in the top of the ninth and scored on the third RBI single of the night by Ceballos to push the Richmond lead back to five runs.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Senators loaded the bases with two outs before Tyler Vogel (Save, 14) entered to record a flyout, ending the game. He extended his Eastern League saves lead.
Kilen’s double in the first inning was his 36th of the year between High-A and Double-A, tying the most in MiLB. He also became the sixth player in Flying Squirrels franchise history to hit two triples in a single game.
The series continues on Friday night. Left-hander Charlie McDaniel (3-2, 5.01) will start for Richmond countered by Harrisburg right-hander Isaac Lyon (5-4, 3.24). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at FNB Field in Harrisburg.
Following the road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to Richmond for a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs from August 25-30. 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.