Flying Squirrels Game Notes at Altoona
Published on August 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Richmond Flying Squirrels (67-65) vs. Altoona Curve (63-68)
Saturday, August 25th -- 7:00 PM Peoples Natural Gas Field -- Altoona, PA
Game # 133 - Road Game # 70
Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:30 PM)
Internet: sportsradio910.com
SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will aim for their second straight win when they take on the Altoona Curve in the third game of a four-game set at Peoples Natural Gas Field tonight. Last night, Squirrels starter Mike Kickham (11-10) tossed six scoreless innings and Mark Minicozzi went 1-for-3 and hit his eighth home run of the season to lead the Flying Squirrels to a 2-1 victory over the Curve. A quartet of Richmond relievers - Chris Wilson, Ari Ronick, Edwin Quirarte and Daryl Maday - combined to allow just one run over the final three frames. Kickham was effectively wild as the southpaw struck out seven and walked five en route to his 11th win of the season, which matches Craig Westcott for the team lead. Maday worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save. Altoona starter Brandon Cumpton (11-11) allowed five hits and two earned runs in six innings pitched, bu he was tagged with the loss. Bowie's 6-3 win over Harrisburg prevented Richmond from gaining any ground in the Western Division wild-card race. Richmond remains four games behind the Baysox with ten games remaining on the schedule.The Flying Squirrels went 9-8 against Altoona in 2011 including a 5-6 mark in Altoona. Richmond is 28-34 all-time against the Curve and the club is 12-22 all-time at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The two teams will meet 21 times in 2012, 14 times in Altoona and 7 times in Richmond. Richmond won three of the first four games between the two teams at The Diamond (4/12-/4/15) and Altoona took two out of three from the Squirrels in an abbreviated three-game series in Altoona (4/19-4/22). Altoona took three of four from Richmond at Peoples Natural Gas Field (5/4-5/6). and two out of three against the Flying Squirrels in Altoona (5/29-5/31). Richmond won two out of three against the Curve in the River City (7/16-7/18).
TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Justin Fitzgerald vs. LHP Kris Johnson
Fitzgerald: Makes his twenty-seventh start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Fitzgerald allowed three hits and no runs and he recorded seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched againstt Bowie Monday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 4-3 triumph. Fitzgerald has not allowed a run or a walk in his last two starts (14.1 IP). Tonight's game will be Fitzgerald's tenth career start against Altoona. He is 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA against the Curve. Fitzgerald is currently third in the Eastern League in opponents' batting average (.224) and fourth in the circuit in innings pitched (151.2). He is also ranked fifth in the league in strikeouts (118) and tied for eighth in ERA (3.26). Last season, Fitzgerald went 9-9 and posted a 3.51 ERA in a team-high 27 starts with Richmond. He also led the 2011 Flying Squirrels pitching staff in innings pitched (146.1), finished second on the club in wins (9) and walks allowed (55) and third in strikeouts (111). As a result, Fitzgerald was named an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star. He also posted a 1-0 mark with a 2.70 ERA in two playoff starts and earned the win in the clinching game of Richmond's sweep of Harrisburg in the Western Division Championship Series. Fitzgerald owns a 29-24 record with a 3.45 ERA in 135 career minor league appearances, including 78 starts. The Santa Rosa, Calif. native was selected by the Giants in the 11th round of the 2008 June Draft out of UC-Davis.
Johnson: Makes his thirty-fourth appearance and his twelfth start of the season tonight. Johnson opened the season in Altoona and spent the bulk of April with the Curve before landing in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis. In 20 appearances, including four starts with Indianapolis, Johnson went 5-2 with a 4.53 ERA. In 13 appearances, including seven starts with Altoona, Johnson is 1-2 with one save and a 2.66 ERA. In his last start with Altoona, Johnson allowed five hits and one earned run, along with one walk and three strikeouts in six innings pitched at Portland August 15. He took the loss in Altoona's 1-0 setback. Since then, Johsnon made a start in Indianapolis and he allowed two hits with one strkeout in 5.1 innings pitched at Syracuse August 20. He earned the win in the Indians' 2-0 triumph. Tonight's game will be his second career appearance and his first start against the Flying Squirrels. He tossed an inning of scoreless relief against Richmond April 15. The southpaw split the 2011 campaign between the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple-A affiliate, and the independent Kansas City T-Bones. He went 2-2 with a 12.63 ERA in eight appearances, including three starts with Pawtucket. Johnson compiled a 6-3 record with a 3.23 ERA in 16 starts with the T-Bones. He has a career record of 40-56 with one save and a 4.66 ERA in 178 appearances, including 146 starts. Originally drafted in the 50th round by the Angels in 2003, Johnson opted to play college ball. He was selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2006 June Draft out of Wichita State. He was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent December 15, 2011.
MAGNIFICENT MADAY: Daryl Maday continues to pitch well in August. After working a scoreless inning last night, Maday has tossed nine scoreless innings over his five August appearances. The former University of Arkansas standout is 2-for-2 in save opportunities in August and he has held opposing batters to a .138 average (4-for-29) during this stretch.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: With a home run last night, Mark Minicozzi now has eight home runs for Richmond, which is fourth-most on the club. The three players he trails (Perez, Cavan and Monell) have all played 100+ games. Minicozzi has played 73.
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