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EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes - August 26 vs. Harrisburg

August 26, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (63-64)

vs.

Harrisburg Senators (WASH) (62-67)

Wednesday, August 26th -- 7:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game #128 - Home Game #67

Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:35 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com

LHP Matt Lujan (7-5, 3.45) vs. RHP Colin Bates (5-4, 3.98)

Thursday, August 27th @AKR 7:05 PM RHP Chase Johnson (0-1, 11.25) vs. RHP Adam Plutko (8-5, 3.13) Fox Sports 910/FoxSportsRichmond.com

Friday, August 28th @AKR 7:05 PM RHP Tyler Beede (2-8, 5.35) vs. LHP Shawn Morimando (9-11, 3.24) Fox Sports 910/FoxSportsRichmond.com

Saturday,, August 29th @AKR 7:05 PM RHP Joan Gregorio (2-2, 3.19) vs. RHP Duke von Schamann (1-1, 6.89) Fox Sports 910/FoxSportsRichmond.com

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels conclude a brief three game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators tonight at 7:05. It is the second consecutive three game homestand for the Squirrels as they play a majority of contests in August on the road. 18 of 29 games are away in August, however the Squirrels do finish the season at home with a four game series against Reading. Richmond lost the opener of this series on Monday night by a final of 4-3 but pulled even on Tuesday with a 2-1 win. Kelvin Marte lasted eight innings for the second time this season and struck out a career-high eight batters. Marte earned his team-leading 10th victory of the season and became the second pitcher to strikeout nine batters in one game (Chase Johnson the other). Second place Altoona also won on Tuesday, leaving the Squirrels behind a playoff spot by 5.0 games with only 13 left to play. Harrisburg is at The Diamond for the third and final time this season. Richmond has one more series against the Senators at Metro Bank Park next week. The Squirrels play a total of 19 games against Harrisburg this year and are currently 8-7 against them. Harrisburg took two out of three last time these two teams met (7/7-7/9) at The Diamond.

PUXATONY PHIL: It must seem like Groundhog Day for the Squirrels oft-used lefty reliever Phil McCormick. The sidewinder was used in a closer's role on Tuesday and preserved a 2-1 Squirrels win for his second save of the season. McCormick leads the Eastern League in appearances (52) and has been amongst the league leaders in the past two seasons in the Eastern League. He was missed leading the league last year by one outing to teammate Edwin Quirarte (51)

NOT MUCH OFF THE TABLE: The lead off hitter for the Squirrels has had a tough time setting the tone recently for the offense. Over the last nine games, the first batter in the order has been either Myles Schroder, Engel Beltre, Rando Moreno or Jesus Galindo. During these nine contests, the unit has gone 2-33 when placed in the lead off spot. They have scored just three of the 22 Richmond runs throughout this stretch of time with 12 strikeouts and five walks. The last time a lead off hitter for Richmond recorded a multi-hit game was on August 11th when Schroder went 2-4 against Bowie.

HOLD ME CLOSER TONY DANZA: Aside from a late -inning loss on Monday, the Squirrels have been sturdy with the game on the line. Former Squirrel reliever (now with the Reds organization) Stephen Johnson leads the Eastern League in holds with 16. Rigthy Jose Casilla ranks 3rd (13) and lefty Phil McCormick ranks 4th in holds (11)

ROSTER SHUFFLE: The Richmond roster experienced a busy day on Thursday with a multitude of transactions (see back page). RHP Stephen Johnson was shipped to the Cincinnati Reds in a deal that brought 37-year-old MLB outfielder Marlon Byrd to San Francisco. Johnson left Richmond as a strikeout machine. He had the third highest strikeout/9 innings ratio in the league among relievers (58 IP, 68 K, ratio of 10.55). In his last 9.1 innings out of the bullpen with the Squirrels, Johnson only allowed one earned run.

LEAST OF THE EAST: The Flying Squirrels have struggled against teams in the Eastern Division. Richmond fell to 3-9 against Eastern Division foe Trenton with the series loss this weekend and are just 22-32 against the opposite division. Despite those struggles, the Squirrels have held their own within the Western Division to stay afloat in the standings. Richmond does not have a losing record against any of the same division opponents and are 6-0 against Akron, 11-10 vs. Bowie, 10-10 vs. Altoona, and 8-7 vs. Harrisburg and 5-5 vs. Erie.

SERIES SLUMP AND ROAD SLUMP: The Squirrels have only won one series in their last eight attempts. The only series victory came against New Hampshire (8/4-8/6). This stretch includes a series sweep at the hands of Altoona from July 27 to July 29. It was the first time the team got swept since early May (5/1-5/3) against New Britain. The uncharted territory has caused for some drop off as well with the team recently. They have won just five of their previous 18 road games. In the road wins, they have won in convincing fashion for the most part by outscoring their opponent 29-13 in those five contests.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (8/26) Fleece Blanket Giveaway & In Your-Face Fireworks. (9/4) Free Shirt Fridays, Happy Hour & Ladies Night. (9/5) Superblast Saturday and 20th Anniversary of Billy Madison. (9/6) Kids Club Metal Lunchbox Giveaway. (9/7) Bark In the Park #3 - Labor Day.

WHERE'S MYLES? Its a constant game of guessing where uber utility man Myles Schroder will be in the lineup and on the field. Schroder played left field and hit seventh on Tuesday. It was the 26th time he has started in left and his 23rd time hitting 8th. Here are his other starts by position and batting order: Leadoff (27) 2nd (4), 6th (24), 7th (23), 8th (7). 1B (6), 2B (21), 3B (10), LF (26), CF (11), RF (7)

HARRISBURG STARTING PITCHER: RHP Colin Bates (5-4, 3.98)

Bates will make his 14th start of the season and his 26th overall. The 27 year-old made his Double-A debut last season with the Senators and appeared in 39 games (one start) with a 3.81 ERA. He Began 2015 in the bullpen and then moved into the rotation in late June. He made consecutive starts against the Squirrels on7/3 & 7/8 and earned the win on 7/8 by allowing one run over six innings. Bates was selected by the Nationals in the 23rd round of the 2010 draft out of UNC. He played three seasons at UNC and appeared in 21 games (6 starts) his final season. A redshirt sophomore who had a rib removed during thoracic outlet surgery in November 2006

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