EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Trenton

Published on May 27, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (23-26) vs. Trenton Thunder (25-21)

Sunday, May 27th -- 2:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 50 - Home Game # 24

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (1:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Chris Heston (4-2, 0.61) vs. LHP Vidal Nuno (0-0, 0.00)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will look to get back on the winning track when they take on the Trenton Thunder in game three of a four-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Trenton starter Brett Marshall (5-2) tossed six scoreless innings and allowed just four hits and a trio of Thunder relievers combined to pitch three scoreless frames with seven strikeouts as Trenton defeated the Flying Squirrels 1-0. Jose Gil smacked a one-out solo home run off Squirrels starter Andy Reichard (0-2) in the top of the second inning, which was the lone run in the ballgame. Reichard lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up two hits and one earned run with four walks and two strikeouts. Richmond relievers Chris Gloor and Tom Vessella combined to toss 6.1 scoreless innings and struck out nine Thunder hitters. The Flying Squirrels went 10-5 against Trenton in 2011 including a 7-1 mark at The Diamond.

Richmond is 13-8 all-time against the Thunder and the club is 9-2 all-time against Trenton at The Diamond. The two teams will meet seven times in 2012, three games in Trenton and four games in Richmond. Following this four-game series, the two teams will meet at Trenton's Waterfront Park for a three-game series June 19 through June 21.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Chris Heston vs. LHP Vidal Nuno Heston: Makes his tenth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels today. In his last start, Heston allowed six hits and one unearned run and matched his career-high with nine strikeouts in eight innings pitched at Bowie Tuesday. He earned his fourth win of the season in Richmond's 3-1 triumph. Heston currently leads the Eastern League in ERA (0.61), ranks second in WHIP (0.84) and opponents' batting average (.186) and fourth in strikeouts (48). Last season, Heston went 12-4 and posted a 3.16 ERA, which led the California League, in 24 starts. with Advanced-A San Jose. His 12 wins tied him for second in the circuit behind current Squirrels teammate Craig Westcott. As a result, the 24-year-old right-hander was named a California League Mid-Season All-Star.

Heston's success in San Jose came on the heels of a middling season with Low-A Augusta, in which he compiled a 5-13 mark with a 3.75 ERA in 26 starts in 2010. Heston owns a 22-24 record with a 3.09 ERA in 70 career minor league appearances, including 65 starts. The Palm Bay, Fla. native was originally selected by Minnesota in the 47th round of the 2007 June Draft, but he did not sign.

He also did not sign after being picked by Washington in the 29th round of the 2008 June Draft. He signed with San Francisco after the Giants selected him in the 12th round of the 2009 June Draft out of East Carolina University.

Nuno: Makes his third start of the season and his second start for the Thunder today. In his first start with Trenton, Nuno allowed two hits and no runs along with four walks and two strikeouts in a four innings pitched against Akron Tuesday. He received a no-decision in Trenton's 3-2 triumph. He began the season with Advanced-A Tampa, where he went 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 11 appearances, including one start. The southpaw began the 2011 season with the Washington Wild Things in the independent Frontier League, where he posted a 2-3 record with a 2.83 ERA in six starts. He was signed by the Yankees in the middle of the season and he pitched for two New York affiliates, Short-Season A Staten Island and Low-A Charleston. He went 5-0 with one save and a 0.72 ERA in eight relief appearances with Staten Island before being promoted to Charleston. In seven starts with the RiverDogs, he went 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts. Nuno began his professional career in the Indians' farm system and he spent the entire 2010 campaign with Lake County, Cleveland's Low-A affiliate in the Midwest League. He went 6-8 with a 4.96 ERA in 21 appearances, including 16 starts, with the Captains. Today's game will be his first career start against the Flying Squirrels. Nuno boasts a career record of 21-13 with a 3.07 ERA and in 71 appearances, including 39 starts. He was originally selected by the Indians in the 48th round of the 2009 June Draft out of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS.

HESTO PRESTO: Chris Heston has been arguably the top pitcher in the Eastern League this season, but the right-hander has taken his game to another level in May. In four May starts, Heston has amassed a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA. He has allowed 20 hits and just two unearned runs while racking up 23 strikeouts and yielding just four walks in 29 innings pitched. In his last two starts, Heston has allowed just one unearned run in 16 innings pitched. He currently leads the Eastern League in ERA (0.61) and opponents' batting average (.186) and ranks second in WHIP (0.84) and fourth in strikeouts (48). The former East Carolina star posted the top ERA in the Advanced-A California League (3.16) as a member of the San Jose Giants last year.

THE GREAT GLOOR: Flying Squirrels reliever Chris Gloor continues to shine in May. The 25-year-old southpaw did not allow a run in a season-high 3.1 innings pitched last night and struck out a season-high four batters. Gloor has now worked seven consecutive scoreless outings for the Flying Squirrels. He has allowed seven hits, two walks and recorded nine strikeouts in 13 innings of work in May.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 27, 2012


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