Richmond, VA- The Harrisburg Senators will take on the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday, June 11 at CarMax Park. The Senators come into tonight’s game looking to avenge last evening’s 7-2 loss to Richmond. The Sens are searching for a jump start to their offense which only has 6 hits in the last 18 innings of play. In the games since Friday night’s outburst of 23 hits the Senators bats have gone quiet. The Sens can be grateful that pitcher Josh Randall is on the mound this evening. The Sens bats have provided ample run support scoring a combined 30 runs in both of the RHP pitcher’s starts. Harrisburg is winners of 5 of their last 10 games and are 31-28 overall.
Meanwhile, the Southwest Division leading Richmond Flying Squirrels are running away with the first half crown. They have a commanding lead of 7.5 games over both Harrisburg and Akron with only 10 games to play. Richmond comes into the game winners of 4 of their last 10 and are 38-20 overall. The Flying Squirrels struck early in last night’s game using 3 home runs to put the Senators in an insurmountable deficit. Richmond will have the task of facing Senators newcomer Josh Randall.
We have Thursday night division baseball in Richmond on Fireworks night. First pitch is just over an hour away.
Harrisburg’s Game 3 lineup is as follows: 1. Johnathan Thomas CF 2. Devin Fitz-Gerald 2B 3. Sam Petersen RF 4. Ethan Petry 1B 5. Max Romero Jr C 6. Caleb Lomavita DH 7. Kervin Pichardo 3B 8. TJ White LF 9. Cortland Lawson SS
Richmond’s game 3 lineup is as follows: 1. Dayson Croes LF 2. Parks Harber DH 3. Bo Davidson CF 4. Charlie Szykowny 3B 5. Sabin Ceballos 6. Maui Ahuna 7. Jean Carlos Sio RF 8. Ty Hanchey C 9. Diego Velasquez 2B
Probable Pitchers
Harrisburg Senators – Josh Randall (2-0, 0.00)
Season Stats: 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 12K, 12IP in 2 AA Games
Total Season Stats: 4-2 Record, 3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 55K, 55 IP
Recent Form: Randall has been tremendous in his two starts with the Sens. He won both outings and has yet to give up an earned run. Randall is the first Senators pitcher in several years to win his first two starts with the team.
vs. Opponent: In just his third AA start, Randall has never faced the Flying Squirrels. Randall has faced one Richmond batter, INF Parks Harber when they were both playing in A+ ball. They have faced each other two times and Harber is 2-2 with 3 RBIs.
Richmond Flying Squirrels – Charlie McDaniel (0-0, 18.00)
Season Stats: 18.00 ERA, 3.33 WHIP, 2K, 3IP in 1 AA Game
Total Season Stats: 3-1 Record, 5.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 41K, 41 1/3 IP
Recent Form: McDaniel had a rude welcome to AA in his first start last week at the hands of the Erie Seawolves. He went 3 innings allowing 6R, 6H (1HR), allowing 4BB and striking out 2. In A+ this year he threw 38 1/3 IP, 18R (17ER), 42H, 8 BB, 39K
vs. Opponent: McDaniel makes his second career AA start tonight thus he has never faced the Senators. McDaniel has never faced any current Senators hitters in previous levels.
Key Storylines/what to watch
All eyes are on Josh Randall this evening. Randall has been tremendous in his first two AA starts this season. Can he maintain early success and continue to give the Senators rotation a big boost?
Washington Nationals Top 15 prospects Devin Fitz-Gerald and Ethan Petry are still searching for their first AA hit.
The Senators bullpen. The Sens have used 6 pitchers out of their bullpen in the last two games mostly due to pitching from the 4th inning on in relief of Connor Van Scoyoc in last night’s ball game.
Looking for this team to come together in last series and half of the first half. The pieces are there for this baseball team to come together and have a strong 2nd half of the season.
Washington Nationals Prospects to watch
Josh Randall- there are not enough adjectives to describe how Randall has looked in AA thus far. He needs to continue to be watched every time he’s on the mound.
Fitz-Gerald and Petry deserve all the attention that they’re gaining and both starts will turn it around in the coming games.
Sens RHP pitcher Erick Mejia got back to form in last night’s ballgame after giving his first runs since early May in Sunday afternoon’s game against Somerset. He’s been arguably one of the most consistent arms in the Sens bullpen and is sporting a tremendous 1.50 ERA.