Squirrels Stumble at Finish Line, Fall in Game Two, 5-4
June 23, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
AKRON, OH - The Richmond Flying Squirrels fell in a heart-breaker, 5-4, to the Akron Aeros in game two of a three-game series in front of 3,396 at Canal Park on Wednesday night. With the win, Akron leveled the series at a game apiece, setting up a rubber-game scenario in the finale on Thursday.
Squirrels' right-hander Felix Romero found himself in immediate trouble in the first inning when Jordan Henry poked a lead-off double to left field. Akron took the lead when Jason Kipnis followed and sent a high-arching two-run home run to right field for a 2-0 advantage.
Richmond's bats were silenced through the first four innings by Akron righty Paolo Espino, but they came alive in a big way in the fifth inning. Conor Gillaspie led off with a single and Michael Ambort followed with a double down the left-field line to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Jackson Williams brought in Gillaspie to cut Akron's lead in half with a single to center field. With runners at the corners, Clay Timpner sent a low-flying three-run home run to the bleachers in right field, giving the Squirrels a 4-2 lead.
The lead was short-lived as Akron broke through against Romero again in the bottom of the inning. Damaso Espino snapped a string of 12 consecutive batters retired by Romero when he doubled up the third-base line with one out. A batter later, Henry delivered a two-out RBI single to plate Espino. Henry advanced to second on the throw home and scored to tie the game, 4-4, on the next pitch when Kipnis singled to right field.
Neither starter factored in the decision as Espino left after the Squirrels' big inning in the fifth. Romero lasted into the seventh, turning in the longest outing of his career. All told, he worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits. He walked none and struck out seven.
The Aeros broke the tie against left-hander Andy Sisco in the eighth inning when Sisco hit Lonnie Chisenhall with one out in the inning. He promptly stole second base and Williams' throw down to second hit Sisco in the back and caromed into center field. The throwing error allowed Chisenhall to third base. John Drennen brought him home with the game-winning run when he followed with a single to left field. Despite the run being unearned, Sisco (0-4) was doomed to the loss for Richmond.
Right-hander Bryce Stowall handled the final two innings for Akron and earned his first victory of the season. He allowed just one hit and struck out three over his two scoreless innings.
The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 12:05 PM on Thursday afternoon at Canal Park. RHP Daryl Maday (8-3, 2.09) will make the start for Richmond against LHP Nick Hagadone (1-0, 6.19) for Akron.
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Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2010
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