EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Dominguez Blasts Squirrels to Wild-Card Lead, 3-2

Published on July 30, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


TRENTON, NJ - After a rain-delay of two hours and 10 minutes, Chris Dominguez's solo-shot in the eighth inning stood up as the difference as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (59-47) slipped past the Trenton Thunder (56-50) on Friday night at Waterfront Park. With the win, the Squirrels are just a half-game behind the Harrisburg Senators for the Western division lead, and in front of Bowie by 1 1/2 games for the wild-card spot in the West.

The Thunder did strike first against Richmond ace Eric Surkamp, scratching a run across in the bottom of the first inning. Ray Kruml led off with a single through the right-side of the infield and advanced to second on a wild-pitch from Surkamp. A groundball moved Kruml to third, and he scored for a 1-0 lead when Austin Romine sent a chopper to the shortstop Sharlon Schoop.

Surkamp settled and allowed the Squirrels time to catch up. They did so in the top of the fifth inning against Trenton right-hander Graham Stoneburner. The Richmond-native had held the Squirrels at bay through the fourth, but an inning-opening error on shortstop Jose Pirela allowed Juan Perez to reach base. Perez swiped second base and Schoop singled to put runners at the corners. Wendell Fairley tied the game when he brought in Perez with a groundout to the right-side of the infield. Francisco Peguero gave Richmond their first lead with a single back through the middle.

The lead was short-lived, as Trenton mounted a quick two-out uprising to tie the game back up in the bottom of the inning. Kruml sent a single back through the box, and Corban Joseph laced a double off the wall in right field to score him from first.

Despite their pitcher's duel, neither starter factored in the decision. Each starter worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits. One run for Stoneburner was unearned. Surkamp equaled his own Squirrels' franchise record by striking out twelve. It marked the fourth time in his last five starts and eighth time on the season that he has registered double-digit strikeouts. He also now leads the Eastern League with 140 strikeouts for the season.

With one out in the eighth inning, Dominguez sent his majestic blast to left field off of right-handed Trenton reliever Chase Whitley. Whitley (2-2) was tagged with the loss for the Thunder. Left-hander Alex Hinshaw (2-0) earned the victory in relief for the Squirrels, working a scoreless 1 1/3 innings.

Right-hander Heath Hembree recorded the final four outs for Richmond including a pair of strikeouts to earn his 11th save in as many chances for the Squirrels.

Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Waterfront Park on Friday night. LHP Ryan Verdugo (7-4, 3.75) will take the ball for the Squirrels against LHP Shaeffer Hall (9-4, 4.07) for the Thunder. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM, and can be heard on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 30, 2011


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