Richmond, VA - The Harrisburg Senators had little answers at the plate for Richmond starter Cesar Perdomo, who was dominant for the 2nd straight game. When the Sens needed to they provided the only answer that was needed on the evening.
Senators opener Jared Simpson was able to escape a first inning threat and leave a Richmond runner stranded on third in his only inning of work. The next 6 innings would go onto be a fantastic pitcher’s duel between Flying Squirrels starter Cesar Perdomo and Senators RHP Kyle Luckham, coming out of the pen on his normal start day.
Neither offense would provide much of a threat, aside from a few singles, as neither team managed to put a runner in scoring position until the 6th inning. A Sabin Ceballos single pushed Richmond’s Bo Davidson to third giving Richmond runners on the corners with 2 outs. Luckham was able to get a ground ball and escape the jam.
Perdomo worked a 1-2-3 7th inning which would be his last inning of work in what was a dominating performance against the Sens. In a groove of his own, Luckham would work around two errors by Senators infielders to keep the game scoreless into the visitor’s half of the 8th.
Two hit batsmen, Max Romero Jr and Kervin Pichardo, reached base in the 8th. Sens skipper Delino DeShields opted to have Sens speedster Johnathan Thomas run for Romero Jr. The move paid off as Richmond pitcher Jack Choate attempted to pick off the shifty Thomas. Choate’s attempt went well wide left and rolled into left center allowing Thomas to come around and score from 2nd on the error. The play would be the answer the Sens needed on the evening.
Senators relievers Noah Dean and Holden Powell would come on in relief of Luckham preserving the lead through the next two innings and the Sens would go onto to be 1-0 victors over the Flying Squirrels.
Winning Pitcher
Harrisburg Senators RHP Kyle Luckham, now 4-5, 5.63ERA
Luckham was outstanding in relief on his typically scheduled start day. Luckham’s line was 6IP, 0R, 5H, 0BB, 2K.
Luckham picked up his first win since mid May when he defeated Altoona.
Losing Pitcher
Richmond Flying Squirrels LHP Jack Choate, now 5-1, 1.90 ERA
Jack numbers in his innings of work don't reflect being the losing pitcher but it was his throwing error attempting to pick off Johnathan Thomas that gave the Sens the winning run.
Richmond starter Cesar Perdomo was fabulous. He went 7 innings allowing 1H striking a season & career high 13 batters. He did not walk any.
On Deck:
Game 2 between the Sens and Flying Squirrels will be tomorrow evening, Wednesday, June 10th at CarMax Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. Sens RHP Connor Van Scoyoc (5-1 3.16 ERA) gets the start for the Sens. He will be opposed by Richmond LHP Greg Farone (0-5 6.54 ERA).