EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes 5/16 vs. Harrisburg

Published on May 16, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (19-19) vs. Harrisburg Senators (21-16)

Wednesday, May 16th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 39 - Home Game # 20

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:05 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

LHP Jason Stevenson (1-4, 6.69) vs. RHP Jeff Mandel (3-2, 3.89)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will look to get back on the winning track when they square off against the Harrisburg Senators in game two of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Tim Pahuta went 2-for-4 and laced a two-run triple into right-center fi eld, in the eighth inning which plated Jeff Kobernus and Chris Rahl with the winning runs in Harrisburg's 4-2 triumph in the series opener. Prior to last night's 2-for-4 night, Pahuta had gone hitless in five previous at-bats against Richmond starter Craig Westcott (3-3), who took the loss for the Flying Squirrels. Harrisburg starter Paul Demny limited Richmond to two hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, in six innings pitched, but received a no-decision. Richmond's Daniel Mayora went 0-for-4, which snapped his nine-game hit streak, the longest for any Squirrel hitter this season. The Flying Squirrels went 13-8 against Harrisburg in 2011 including a 10-5 mark in the River City. Richmond is 18-16 all-time against the Senators and the club is 10-9 all-time at The Diamond. The two teams will meet 20 times in 2012, 10 times in Harrisburg and 10 times in Richmond. The Flying Squirrels swept Harrisburg in an abbreviated two-game series at Metro Bank Park last week. Following this three-game series, the Flying Squirrels and Senators will meet again at Metro Bank Park for a five-game series, which includes a make-up game that will be part of a doubleheader, July 12-15.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Jason Stevenson vs. RHP Jeff Mandel Stevenson: Makes his eighth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Stevenson allowed five hits and three earned runs along with one walk and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched against Bowie Thursday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 7-3 setback in 11 innings. Tonight's game will be his second career start against Harrisburg, his former team. He is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA (2 ER/7.0 IP) against the Senators, as he got the start for Richmond in game two of the 2011 Western Division Championship Series. Stevenson, a former Montreal/Washington farmhand returned to baseball following a five-year hiatus for personal reasons that began after the 2005 season. The 30-year-old southpaw signed with the Chico (CA) Outlaws of the independent North American League in 2011 and posted an 8-0 mark with a 1.68 ERA in 9 appearances, including 8 starts and earned a spot in the NAL All-Star Game. After signing with the Giants, Stevenson went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his lone start with Richmond as he allowed just one earned run in seven innings pitched at Altoona on Sept. 5. He also posted a 1-0 mark with a 5.56 ERA in two starts with Triple-A Fresno. Stevenson boasts a 35-41 record with a 4.70 ERA and three saves in 158 career minor league appearances, including 68 starts. He was originally selected by the Expos in the 12th round of the 2000 June Draft out of Sacramento City College. Stevenson resides in Redding, Calif.

Mandel: Makes his eighth start of the season tonight. In his last start, Mandel allowed six hits, six runs, five of which were earned along with one walk and no strikeouts in a season-low 3.0 innings pitched at Akron Thursday. He took the loss in Harrisburg's 7-0 setback. Mandel has spent parts of the last four seasons (2009-12) with Harrisburg. The right-hander split the 2011 season between Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. He had no record and a 2.25 ERA in five relief appearances with the Senators before being promoted to Syracuse, where he went 4-4 with three saves and a 3.81 ERA in 43 relief appearances with the Chiefs. In 2010, Mandel posted a 1-4 mark with a 3.82 ERA in seven starts with Harrisburg and he amassed a 5-6 record with a 4.75 ERA in 25 appearances, including 15 starts, with Syracuse. He has a career record of 39-38 with three saves and a 4.25 ERA in 155 appearances, including 95 starts. Mandel was selected by the Nationals in the 19th round of the 2007 June Draft out of Baylor University.

WINNING RECORD: Last night's loss dropped the Flying Squirrels back to .500 (19-19). Richmond has only been above .500 twice during the season and the Flying Squirrels have yet to climb to two games above .500 in 2012.

AFTER EIGHT: When Harrisburg broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the eighth inning last night and Richmond failed to score in the bottom of the frame, Richmond's late-inning comeback woes continued. The Flying Squirrels are now 0-14 in games where they trail after eight innings have been completed. The Binghamton Mets (0-17) and the Altoona Curve (0-18) are the only Eastern League teams have worse records when trailing after eight innings. Harrisburg is also winless in games in which they trail after eight innings (0-10).

FLIGHT RISK: Gary Brown's stolen base last night was his 10th stole base of the season and fourth since the calendar turned to May. Brown's 10 steals have come in 13 attempts, giving him a success rate of nearly 77 percent. He now ranks fourth in the Eastern League in stolen bases. Harrisburg's Jeff Kobernus leads the circuit in steals with 24 and the Senators' Chris Rahl is third with 12. Last season, Brown stole 53 bases in 72 attempts with Advanced-A San Jose and ranked second in the California League in stolen bases. The Flying Squirrels single-season record for stolen bases is 37, which was set by Darren Ford in 2010.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 16, 2012


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