Explosive Eighth Pushes Squirrels Past Thunder, 8-3
July 20, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels used a six-run eighth inning to roar past the Trenton Thunder, 8-3, in front of 5,144 on Tuesday night at The Diamond. The ballgame was delayed 34 minutes at the outset due to rain.
Trailing 3-2 to the bottom of the eighth inning, Richmond exploded for six runs against the Trenton bullpen. Right-hander Kevin Whelan started the inning and promptly walked Sharlon Schoop. Whelan got the first out of the frame, but conceded a flare-single to Brad Boyer to put two aboard. Whelan then issued back-to-back walks to Thomas Neal and Brandon Belt. The walk to Belt brought in Schoop to tie the game, 3-3. The Thunder went back to the bullpen for lefty Wilkin de la Rosa, but he didn't put out the fire. Conor Gillaspie greeted him with a comeback single to put Richmond in front, 4-3. Ryan Lormand then sliced a ball into right field that bounced over a diving Edwar Gonzalez and wound up clearing the bases as Lormand pulled into third with a three-run triple. Clay Timpner capped the rally with an RBI single to plate Lormand.
The six-run inning matched the most prolific offensive inning of the season for the Squirrels. Whelan (1-3) was tagged with the loss over just a third of an inning.
Trenton had snatched the lead with a pair of runs spanning the seventh and eighth innings. Both of those runs were charged to left-hander Jake Stevens. Right-hander Daniel Turpen (5-5) earned the win for Richmond, having finished the eighth inning for Stevens.
Richmond starter Felix Romero retired seven of the first eight batters of the ballgame, but the ninth put Trenton on the board first in the third inning. Gonzalez delivered a solo-home run to right-center field for a 1-0 Thunder lead.
The Squirrels answered against Trenton righty Hector Noesi in the bottom of the frame. Clay Timpner led off with a single and a batter later Sharlon Schoop cranked a two-run home run to right-center. The blast, Schoop's first of the year, pulled Richmond in front, 2-1.
Romero was outstanding through six innings, conceding only the solo-home run. He departed with the lead, but wouldn't factor in the decision. He allowed a lone run on three hits, walked one and struck out three.
Noesi lasted through the seventh inning. He also didn't register a decision, allowing just two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out four.
Rafael Cova mopped up the win as he mowed down the side in order in the ninth inning. Richmond won for just for the fourth time when they trailed after five innings.
The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for Noon on Wednesday afternoon at The Diamond. RHP David Mixon (9-5, 3.33) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Andrew Brackman (1-4, 4.56) for Trenton.
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