EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Baysox Walk to Win in Finale, 5-4

Published on August 18, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Bowie Baysox (68-56) parlayed eight walks issued by the Richmond Flying Squirrels (66-57) into a, 5-4, win in the finale of a three-game series in front of 8,813 at The Diamond on Thursday night. With the win, the Baysox averted a sweep from the Squirrels and regained a 1 1/2 game advantage for the Western Division wild-card spot.

After blanking the Baysox in the first inning for the first time in the series, the Squirrels got started quickly with the sticks in the bottom of the frame. Darren Ford started the first with a single back through the middle to get it started against Bowie right-hander Zach Clark. On the next pitch, with Ford running, Francisco Peguero cracked a single into right field to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Johnny Monell followed and punched an RBI single through the hole on the left-side of the infield for a 1-0 advantage.

Richmond was back at it in the second inning, with the help of a lead-off single from Juan Perez. Perez promptly swiped second base, his team-best 21st stolen base of the season. He advanced to third on a groundout from Jackson Williams, and scored for a 2-0 edge when Skyler Stromsmoe bounced out to second base.

Squirrels' left-hander Clayton Tanner held the Baysox without a hit through four innings. However, he did walk three and hit a batter. The wildness didn't hurt him through the fourth, but would cost the Squirrels the lead in the fifth. In the frame, Tanner walked Caleb Joseph to start the inning, and a batter later issued his fifth of the night to put two aboard with one out. Xavier Avery lined a ball into left field that Perez misplayed, allowing the ball to roll to the wall. It was ruled a double, with Joseph coming around to score. Greg Miclat then bounced a ball to the shortstop to tie the game, 2-2. On the play, Chris Dominguez dropped the baseball attempting to apply a tag to Avery. There remained just one out, and after L.J. Hoes flied out, Joe Mahoney and Pedro Florimon recorded back-to-back RBI singles to put Bowie in front, 4-2. Two of the runs charged to Tanner were unearned due to the error on Dominguez.

Tanner (6-9) departed to the loss after five innings, having conceded four runs - two earned. He permitted just three hits, but issued a season-high five walks and also hit a batter. He threw 94 pitches, 51 of which were strikes.

Stromsmoe attempted to revive the Squirrels in the bottom of the fifth inning, belting his first home run of the season to right field. The solo-shot off of Clark pulled Richmond back within a run, 4-3.

After his early struggles, Clark (8-8) settled in to turn in a quality-start. He earned the win over six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. He walked none and struck out three as he defeated the Flying Squirrels for the third time on the season.

Right-hander Jose Diaz came on to close the ballgame for the Baysox in the ninth inning. It wasn't a smooth ride for him, as Perez cracked a solo-home run to left field to cap the scoring for the evening. However, Diaz ultimately struck out the side to earn his 19th save of the season.

The Squirrels open a three-game series against the Akron Aeros (Cleveland Indians) at 7:05 PM on Friday night at The Diamond. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (8-7, 3.42) will make the start for the Squirrels against LHP Matt Packer (6-11, 4.41) for the Aeros. For tickets or more information, please visit SquirrelsBaseball.com.

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Eastern League Stories from August 18, 2011


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