EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Fitzgerald Wins Second Straight Start

Published on April 15, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ALTOONA, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (5-4) capitalized on early miscues from the Altoona Curve (4-5), and claimed a, 5-2, victory in front of 3,016 fans at Blair County Ballpark on Friday night. Squirrels' right-hander Justin Fitzgerald improved to 2-0 in his second Double-A start, while Johnny Monell collected two hits and two RBIs in the victory.

Mike McBryde started the ballgame with a slow-roller back to the mound that Curve starter Jared Hughes threw away up the right-field line. McBryde scampered all the way to second base on the miscue to set up the first Squirrels run of the night. He scored for a 1-0 lead two batters later when Jose Flores grounded into a double-play. The run was unearned for Hughes, due to his own error to start the ballgame.

Fitzgerald labored through a 26-pitch first inning, but kept Altoona at bay. The offense added a run for him in the top of the second, as Roger Kieschnick led off the inning with a blistered double to center field. Monell followed and cracked a single into left-center field that scored Kieschnick, putting the Squirrels in front, 2-0.

Altoona got on the board against Fitzgerald in the third. Brock Holt led off the inning with a single, and advanced to second a batter later when Starling Marte walked. The runners moved up on a groundout, bringing Miles Durham to the plate with two in scoring position and two outs. He ripped a single into left field scoring Brock Holt from third. However, Kieschnick came up throwing from left field and the Squirrels retained the lead as Monell held onto to a perfect throw through a plate-collision with Shelby Ford. The out at the plate ended the threat with Richmond still in front, 2-1.

Fitzgerald (2-0) worked five innings for his second consecutive win, allowing just a lone run on six hits. He walked one and struck out three. It marked the second strong outing for Fitzgerald, who has conceded just one earned run on eight hits through two starts and 10 total innings. Hughes (0-1) took the loss for Altoona, surrendering two runs - one earned - on five hits over five innings.

The Squirrels stretched their lead in the sixth inning against former Giants' farmhand Tim Alderson. Alderson issued a walk to start the inning to Joe Koshansky, and Kieschnick followed with a single. Monell loaded the bases when he singled and Juan Perez brought home Koshansky with a sacrifice fly. Joel Weeks followed with a second sacrifice fly and the Squirrels led, 4-1.

Altoona got one run back against Squirrels' right-hander Edwin Quirarte in the seventh, but Richmond tacked it right back on against righty Brian Leach in the eighth. Monell again knocked in that run with a sacrifice fly, finishing his offensive night 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Closer Jason Stoffel entered in the ninth and wasted no time in setting the side down in order and earning his third save of the season.

Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Blair County Ballpark on Saturday night. LHP Clayton Tanner (0-1, 7.20) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Aaron Pribanic (0-0, 4.50) for the Curve.

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Eastern League Stories from April 15, 2011


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