Daryl Maday having a great season so far....

Fron GoErie.com:

"Today will be a day of firsts for the Erie SeaWolves.

It will not only be their inaugural game at Richmond, but against one of the Eastern League's elite pitchers over the season's first month.

Right-hander Daryl Maday takes a 6-0 record and a league-best 1.54 earned-run average into the opener between the Flying Squirrels (22-15) and the SeaWolves (21-16).

First pitch at The Diamond is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The three-games series is Erie's first against the San Francisco Giants' Double-A affiliate since it moved from Norwich, Conn., to Virginia's capital in the offseason. Last year, the former Connecticut Defenders reached the best-of-five Eastern League final, which they lost to Akron in four games.

The Squirrels filled a void caused when the Triple-A Richmond Braves moved to Gwinnett County (Ga.) after the 2008 International League season.

Maday won't be the only sterling starter whom Erie will encounter. Richmond right-hander David Mixon (4-1) is scheduled to face the SeaWolves on Wednesday.

Mixon's 2.32 ERA is ranked fourth in the league.

Combined, Richmond's pitching staff has a league-low 2.83 ERA. It also has a league-high 16 saves, with Rafael Cova responsible for half of them.


The Squirrels will try to tame an Erie team which has recovered from its franchise-record 0-8 start. Seven of those losses were on the road, but the SeaWolves now find themselves 11-10 away from Jerry Uht Park.

Erie will try to offset the Squirrels' power on the mound with power at the plate. The SeaWolves lead the league with 40 home runs.

Wilkin Ramirez has socked eight of those homers. The center fielder is tied for the league lead in that category, and tied for third with 30 runs batted in.

Michael Bertram wields another hot bat for Erie. The first baseman has a nine-game hitting streak and a .405 average over his past 10 games.

The Squirrels' best offensive threats have been outfielders Thomas Neal and Roger Kieschnick. Baseball America lists them as the No. 4 and 7 prospects, respectively, in the Giants' farm system.

The SeaWolves' probable series starters are Duane Below (2-3, 4.05 ERA), Thad Weber (2-3, 4.85) and Andy Oliver (3-1, 4.28). Oliver will face Richmond's Craig Clark (2-2, 4.05) in Thursday's finale, which has a 10:35 a.m. start.

Reasonable success over the next six days could nudge the SeaWolves into first place."