Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Bowie
April 11, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (2-0) vs. Bowie Baysox (BAL) (0-2)
Saturday, April 11th -- 7:05 PM
The Diamond -- Richmond, VA
Game #3 - Home Game #3
Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:35 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com
RHP Kyle Crick (0-0, ---) vs. RHP Parker Bridwell (0-0, ---)
SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels will be looking for the series win tonight after taking the first two games, each decided by one run. After walking off with a 14-inning, 3-2, triumph in the season opener, Richmond needed just a lone run to take game two. The Squirrels prevailed, 1-0, as three relievers worked behind Jack Snodgrass, who went five scoreless innings in his 2015 season debut. Remarkably, the two teams entered this season and series deadlocked at 63-63 in the all-time series between the two. Richmond now holds a 65-63 advantage. The Squirrels will send RHP Kyle Crick to the hill in game three against Bowie RHP Parker Bridwell. Crick is presently (#3) the highest ranked prospect on the Squirrels roster in the estimation of Baseball America. Bridwell is rated #22 by the same publication in the Baltimore system (see bio below).
OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS: Through two games of the young season, the Squirrels bullpen has proven to be a strength of the squad. The outfit has turned in a collective 13 scoreless innings, yet to concede a run on the year. Every reliever on the roster has contributed, as RHP Stephen Johnson and LHP Phil McCormick each made their season debuts on Friday night. The pair were the only two bullpen arms that didn't get involved in the 14-inning season opener on Thursday. Five hurlers appeared in that game for the Squirrels, as Joan Gregorio, Tyler Rogers, Jose Casilla, Josh Osich and Pedro Rodriguez worked behind starter Chris Stratton. Osich is the only reliever that has appeared in both games, picking up his first save of the year on Friday. The group has combined to strike out 14 batters in those 13 scoreless innings.
IT'S A MARATHON: It's a little too early to get caught up in wins and losses, but it is worth noting that 2015 marks the first time in franchise history that the Squirrels have begun the season with consecutive victories. So, in essence, they are off to their finest start in franchise history.
THE SNOD-GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER: Many Squirrels fans were disappointed that LHP Jack Snodgrass returned to Richmond to open the season, feeling that he had earned an opportunity at the Triple-A level with back-to-back double digit win seasons (12, 11) and consecutive team pitcher of the year honors. However, they were reminded on Friday how valuable the lefty is to a pitching staff. Needing to spare the bullpen after a 14-inning marathon win on Thursday, Snodgrass gutted through a 37-pitch 3rd inning and lasted five innings to claim his franchise record 24th victory as a member of the Squirrels. Snodgrass is now five wins clear of Craig Westcott and Justin Fitzgerald, who are tied for second on the all-time wins list with 19.
I'LL HAVE A DOUBLE BIG MAC...WITH CHEESE: OF Mac Williamson began to make up for lost time in his Double-A debut on Thursday night. The Giants' #11 prospect according to Baseball America connected for a double in each of his first two at-bats, both off of lefty Tim Berry, and reached base on four occasions (BB, HBP). Williamson was expected to be with the Squirrels in 2014, but missed the majority of the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON...AND ON AND ON: The Flying Squirrels 14-inning victory over Bowie in the season-openers for both teams, marked the longest season-opener in Richmond franchise history for both innings (14) and game time (4:47). The game was easily the lengthiest in terms of innings, as Richmond had never before played extra frames on opening day. It also breezed past the longest prior opening day game, which lasted 2:53 in 2010, also against Bowie at Prince George's Stadium. That game, did however spread over two days, as it was suspended due to rain and completed the next day. The Baysox were also the opponent for what still stands as the longest game in franchise history. That game occurred on April 30th, 2011, when the Baysox defeated the Squirrels, 3-2, in 18 innings. That ballgame lasted 5:27 and was finally ended current Baltimore Orioles' catcher Caleb Joseph blasted a walk-off solo-home run off of former Richmond lefty David Quinowski.
BOWIE STARTING PITCHER: RHP Parker Bridwell (0-0, ---)
Bridwell, 23, will make his Double-A debut tonight, as he appears for the Baysox for the first time. He enters the season rated as the 22nd best prospect in the Baltimore system by Baseball America. A native of Hereford, TX, Bridwell was selected out of high school by the Orioles in the 9th round of the 2010 draft. He is a prospect based on his overall stuff, which includes a mid-90s fastball. However, he has progressed slowly through the Baltimore chain due to an inability to locate. Through his first five professional seasons, the righty is averaging 4.33 BBs per 9 innings and due in large to that has never posted an ERA lower than 4.45 at any level in the system. He spent 2014 entirely with Frederick in the Carolina League. He posted a 7-10 record in 26 starts, and finished third in the organization in strikeouts with 142. However, he also set a new career-high for walks in a season with 70, averaging nearly five per 9 innings. He worked in a relief role in the Arizona Fall League and pitched well, potentially providind a glimpse at his future at higher levels. However, the Orioles will continue to let him attempt to gain consistency while getting bulk innings in the Double-A rotation.
Eastern League Stories from April 11, 2015
- Squirrels' Tank Runs Empty in 14th, 7-6 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Glasnow Tosses Five Scoreless Innings in 4-1 Loss - Altoona Curve
- Four-Run Eighth Fuels Harrisburg Win over Altoona - Harrisburg Senators
- Newman Walks Fisher Cats off in Tenth - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Sea Dogs Split Opening Day Twinbill - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fightin Phils Split Opening Day Twin Bill - Reading Fightin Phils
- RubberDucks Shut down Saturday - Akron RubberDucks
- You Know It: Ynoa Baffles Ducks in 2-0 Win - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Bowie - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- B-Mets Game Notes: Game #3 - B-Mets (1-1) at Akron RubberDucks (1-1) - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Sea Dogs Game Notes April 11 vs. Reading (Games 1, 2) - Portland Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
