Belt's Double in 10th Serves as Game-Winner
August 4, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - The Richmond Flying Squirrels earned a hard-fought, 4-2, victory in 10 innings over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in front of 6,434 at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium on Tuesday night.
With the game tied, 2-2, Brad Boyer led off the 10th for the Squirrels and drew a four-pitch walk from right-hander Ronald Uviedo. A batter later, Nick Noonan delivered a hit-and-run single to right field. With runners at the corners and one out, Uviedo hit Thomas Neal to load the bases for Brandon Belt. Belt roped a two-run double down the right-field line to plate Boyer and Noonan with the decisive runs. Uviedo (2-4) was saddled with his fourth loss of the season.
Darren Ford got the Squirrels started quickly against New Hampshire right-hander Zach Stewart as he led off the ballgame with a triple into the left-field corner. Noonan brought him in with a groundout to the right-side of the infield and the Squirrels enjoyed an early 1-0 lead.
The Fisher Cats drew even with a run against Squirrels' right-hander Craig Westcott in the third inning. With two outs, Darin Mastroianni singled into left field. He promptly swiped second base and came around to tie the game, 1-1, when Adeiny Hechavarria rifled a single into left field.
Following Ford's triple, Stewart found a groove and retired the next 14 hitters in order. That included striking out six-of-seven batters during one stretch.
New Hampshire climbed into the lead with a final run off Westcott in the fifth inning. Jonathan Diaz opened the inning with a single and a batter later, Mastroianni singled to put two aboard. With two outs, Adam Loewen put the Fisher Cats ahead, 2-1, with a single through the left-side of the infield.
Westcott was lifted during the fifth inning and didn't factor in the decision. He allowed a pair of earned runs on six his over 4 2/3 innings, walked two and struck out four.
Stewart also retired to a no-decision following the fifth inning, and the Squirrels quickly pulled even against his replacement, Vince Bongiovanni. Brad Boyer led off the sixth inning with a double and moved to third when Ford flared a single to right-center field. A batter later, Thomas Neal tied the ballgame, 2-2, when he lifted a sacrifice fly to right field.
Mitch Lively (2-2) earned the win for Richmond, working an inning of scoreless relief. He handed it off to Rafael Cova with one out in the ninth inning. Cova nailed down the win for Richmond and his league-leading 19th save of the season as he calmly recorded the final two outs in the ballgame.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 12:05 PM on Wednesday afternoon at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium. RHP Felix Romero (3-1, 3.45) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Shawn Hill (0-0, ---) for New Hampshire.
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