EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Wheeler Pitches B-Mets Past Squirrels, 5-1

Published on July 5, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Zack Wheeler turned in a sterling pitching performance by giving up just one earned run in seven and 1/3 innings pitched to lead the Binghamton Mets (38-46) to a 5-1 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (41-45) at The Diamond Thursday night. In his first start against his original organization, Wheeler, San Francisco's first round pick in the 2009 draft, snapped Richmond's season-high four-game winning streak and the B-Mets evened the three-game series at one game apeice.

Binghamton struck first with a run in the opening frame. Juan Lagares doubled to start the inning and he advanced to third base on a single from Reese Havens. Lagares scored on a sacrifice fly from Jefry Marte, which gave the B-Mets a 1-0 edge.

After neither team scored in the second and third innings, the B-Mets added three runs on four hits in the top of the fourth. Francisco Pena doubled to start the inning and he took third base on Sean Kazmar's ground out. Wilfredo Tovar drove in Pena with an RBI single and Wheeler followed with a sacrifice bunt, which moved Tovar into scoring position. Lagares delivered an RBI single and he promptly stole second base. Havens hit an RBI single that plated Lagares and extended Binghamton's lead to 4-0.

The B-Mets tacked on another run in the fifth. Wilmer Flores hit a one-out double off Heston. He scored two batters later on Kazmar's RBI single, which made it a 5-0 ballgame.

Meanwhile, Wheeler was dominant on the mound throughout the night. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless frames before Richmond was able to push a run across in the bottom of the eighth. With one runner on base and one out, Gary Brown singled and Wheeler was lifted for reliever Armando Rodriguez. Nick Liles drew a walk from Rodriguez and Mark Minicozzi coaxed a bases-loaded free pass from the right-handed reliever, which plated Weeks and reduced Binghamton's lead to 5-1. But Rodriguez recovered and got Tommy Joseph to hit into a force out, which erased Brown at the plate, and he induced a foul pop out from Russ Mitchell to end Richmond's best chance at a potential momentum-shifting big inning.

Rodriguez retired the Squirrels in order in the ninth to preserve Binghamton's victory. Wheeler (8-4) yielded six hits and just one earned run with no walks and six strikeouts in seven and 1/3 innings pitched. As a result, he picked up his eighth win of the season. Heston (6-4) took the loss for Richmond after allowing a season-high 12 hits and a season-high five earned runs in five innings pitched.

The Squirrels will attempt to get back on the winning track when the two teams meet again in the rubber game of the series Friday night at The Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM as Richmond LHP Mike Kickham (6-6, 2.81) is slated to start. Binghamton is expected to counter with RHP Cory Mazzoni (1-2, 6.35). Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 5, 2012


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