Squirrels Win See-Saw Battle, 6-5
June 13, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
RICHMOND, VA - Juan Ciriaco delivered a walk-off RBI single with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning to cap a three-run frame and give the Richmond Flying Squirrels (31-34) a dramatic 6-5 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-41) at The Diamond Wednesday night. Ciriaco's clutch hit ended a wild game that saw the lead change hands three times in the final four frames.
In the early innings, the game began as a pitchers' duel between Flying Squirrels starter Chris Heston and New Hampshire starter Yohan Pino. Heston worked four consecutive scoreless innings to start the contest, in which he allowed two hits and hit two batters. Pino matched Heston pitch for pitch through the first four frames as the veteran right-hander allowed just one hit and recorded three strikeouts.
New Hampshire broke the scoreless tie with a run in the top of the fifth. Mark Sobolewski hit a one-out single and advanced to third later in the inning when Heston committed an error on an errant pick-off attempt. Moments later, Sobolewski scored when Heston uncorked a wild pitch, which gave the Fisher Cats a 1-0 edge.
The Fisher Cats extended their lead to 2-0 when Mike McDade, who collected three hits in five at-bats, blasted a one-out solo home run off Squirrels reliever Ari Ronick in the top of the eighth inning.
After squandering several opportunities to even the score in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, the Flying Squirrels finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch-hitter Daniel Mayora drew a leadoff walk from Fisher Cats reliever Aaron Loup to start the inning. Ryan Cavan followed with a two-run home run - his fourth home run of the season - which cleared the left field wall and knotted the game at 2-2. Later in the inning, Juan Perez reached on a hit by pitch and scored on Tommy Joseph's long single down the right field line, which resulted in a throwing error by second baseman Brian Bocock that put Richmond in front 3-2.
But New Hampshire refused to go away quietly. Brian Van Kirk was hit by pitch from Austin Fleet leading off the top of the ninth. Sobolewski followed with a single, which resulted in a pitching change for Richmond. After lefty Tom Vessella entered the contest, Brad McElroy laid down a sacrifice bunt, which enabled Van Kirk to reach third base and Sobolewski to take second. Moments later, Van Kirk scored on a wild pitch from Vessella and the game was tied at 3-3.
After Richmond failed to scored in the bottom of the ninth and neither team scored in the tenth inning, the Fisher Cats reclaimed the lead by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the 11th when Ryan Goins ripped a two-run double off Vessella.
New Hampshire's Fernando Hernandez came on to pitch the bottom of the 11th and the right-hander promptly issued a walk to Russ Mitchell and gave up a single to Joel Weeks, which put runners at the corners. Mitchell scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Ehire Adrianza. Nick Liles followed with a single to right and a throwing error by Kenen Bailli enabled Adrainza to reach third base and Liles to advance to second. After Hernandez intentionally walked Cavan, Gary Brown delivered an RBI single that tied the score at 5-5 and set the stage for Ciriaco's heroics.
Vessella (2-0) earned the win in relief for Richmond and Hernandez (0-3) was charged with the loss.
The Squirrels will seek a series sweep when the two teams meet in the finale of the three-game set at The Diamond Thursday night. Richmond will send lefty Mike Kickham (4-5, 3.12) to the mound. New Hampshire will counter with right-hander Chad Jenkins (2-6, 6.35) a starting pitcher. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM. Tune to Sports Radio 910 for all the live action, beginning with the Flying Squirrels Pre-Game Warm-Up presented by your local Ford dealers at 6:05 PM. Tickets are available and can be purchased at SquirrelsBaseball.com.
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Eastern League Stories from June 13, 2012
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