EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Big Inning Leads to Richmond Romp in Opener, 8-3

Published on July 28, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (58-47) used a five-run sixth inning to gallop past the Trenton Thunder (56-49), 8-3, in the opener of a four-game series at Waterfront Park on Thursday night. The win put the Squirrels a season-best 11 games over .500, and allowed them to stay in a tie for the wild-card in the Western Division.

The Thunder used a first-inning error on Squirrels' first baseman Wes Hodges to take the early lead. Richmond starter Chuck Lofgren induced a soft-groundball with one out from Corban Joseph, but Hodges couldn't play it cleanly, allowing Joseph to reach. A batter later, Rob Lyerly sent a check-swing roller just fair inside the third-base bag. As Chris Dominguez tried a throw to first base, Joseph aggressively took third. Melky Mesa followed with an RBI single to left field, putting the Thunder in front with an unearned run.

Right-hander Dellin Betances made quick work of the Squirrels through the first five innings, but the sixth was a different story. Sharlon Schoop led off the inning with a single, and Wendell Fairley legged out an infield-single behind him to put two aboard. Francisco Peguero attempted to bunt the runners up and beat out a bunt-single when Betances slipped while fielding the ball. Richmond had the bases loaded with nobody out. Betances then issued a five-pitch walk to Charlie Culberson, bringing in Schoop to tie the game, 1-1. Roger Kieschnick followed with an RBI single through the hole on the left-side of the infield for a 2-1 lead. The bases remained loaded with nobody down as Dominguez sent a 1-2 breaking ball back through the box, bringing in two runs for a 4-1 advantage. Betances was lifted in favor of switch-pitcher Pat Venditte. He struck out Hodges, but Johnny Monell sent a groundball to the right side that Joseph misplayed, allowing Kieschnick to score for a 5-1 Richmond lead.

Betances (4-5) was charged with five runs - four earned - as he took the loss over five innings plus six batters. He conceded seven hits - all singles - walked one and struck out three.

Lofgren (2-0) was magnificent following the brief Trenton uprising in the first inning. He worked into the seventh inning, ultimately turning in 6 2/3 innings for the win. He permitted just four hits, walked three and struck out seven. He won for the second time in as many starts with the Squirrels, turning in his longest outing of the season at any level.

Trenton got a run back against Richmond left-hander Wimin Rodriguez in the eighth inning, but the Squirrels responded with three runs of insurance in the top of the ninth. They came courtesy of a three-run home run to left field from Schoop, pulling the Squirrels in front 8-2.

Austin Romine capped the scoring for the evening with an RBI single off of left-hander David Quinowski in the bottom of the ninth inning. Quinowski recovered to fly Lyerly to end the ballgame.

Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Waterfront Park on Friday night. LHP Eric Surkamp will take the ball for the Squirrels against Richmond-native RHP Graham Stoneburner (1-1, 1.69) for the Thunder. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM, and can be heard on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 28, 2011


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