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EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Bowie

May 16, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (13-19) vs. Bowie Baysox (BAL) (18-17)

Saturday, May 16th -- 6:35 PM

Prince George's Stadium -- Bowie, MD

Game #33 - Road Game #15

Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:00 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com

RHP Chris Stratton (0-4, 4.94) vs. LHP Tim Berry (0-3, 7.46)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels have claimed the first two games of this four-game series, and will shoot for their fourth straight series victory tonight. On Friday, the Squirrels pounded out a season-high 16 hits en route to an, 8-4, win. A season-best six batters recorded multiple-hit games. Richmond took it to Orioles' top-prospect Dylan Bundy, recording eight hits and six runs against him in just 2.0 innings plus two batters. Tonight will mark the 12th meeting of the year between the two clubs, as Richmond plays their second series at Prince George's Stadium. The two teams split a four-game season-opening series at The Diamond from 4/9-4/12. Richmond was swept by Bowie in an abbreviated two-game series in Maryland (4/20-4/21) that was part of their 15-game skid. Most recently, the Squirrels grabbed two-of-three from the Baysox on the Boulevard during their recently completed homestand (5/8-5/10). The two teams will meet 21 times during the 2015 season-series, with the Baysox again visiting The Diamond next week for a three-game series (5/22-5/24). The Squirrels now hold a slight edge (6-5) in the season-series, and also a slighter edge (69-68) in the all-time series, which began in 2010. The Squirrels enter play tonight having won 10 of their last 12 games, and each of their last three series. With their win on Friday, the Squirrels pulled into a third-place tie, and although early, remarkably sit just 3.5 games out of playoff positioning. Bowie has dropped a season-high five straight games, but still hold second place in the West. RHP Chris Stratton makes his third start of the season against Bowie tonight. LHP Tim Berry, who started opening day against the Squirrels, faces Richmond for the second time

NOBODY CIRCLES THE WAGONS LIKE THE BUFFALO BILLS: Or in this case, the Squirrels. After dropping a franchise-record 15 straight ballgames, the Squirrels have won 10 of their last 12 games, and pulled into a third-place tie in the Western Division with their win on Friday night. After posting a record of 3-14 in the month of April, Richmond is currently 10-5 in the month of May. A large reason for the turnaround has been an emerging offense. The Squirrels recorded a team-average of just .209 in April. However, that average has jumped to .263 in May, a 54-point increase.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR RICKY OROPESA, LOOK ON THE HIGH ROAD: Ricky Oropesa doesn't seem to enjoy hitting at The Diamond. Thus far, the 1B has hit just .115 (6-52) at home while striking out 14 times. However, he saves his best for when Squirrels' fans aren't looking. Oropesa has been a force on the road this season. He is currently batting .389 (21-54) away from The Diamond. He has four three-hit games on the year, with all of them occurring on the road. He also seems to be warming with the weather. The USC product has raised his season average 120 points (.135-.255) during the month of May. He has done so by batting .370 (20-54) in May after hitting just .135 (7-52) during the month of April.

DEFINITELY NOT LIKE A NASHVILLE PARTY: Inspired by the Sunday clubhouse stylings of Miley Cyrus, the Squirrels won their first 13 Sunday games of the 2014 season. The feat was chronicled by Milb.com. Things seemed to have soured between the team and the singer however. The Squirrels are currently winless on Sundays in 2015 (0-5). Sunday is in fact the only day of the week that the Squirrels have yet to record a win. Each Sunday game has been a day game, and the Squirrels have struggled in those contests in general. Richmond is presently 2-8 during the daytime this season.

EVERYBODY WHO'S HITTING STEP FORWARD...YOU...NOT SO FAST!: Although the affiliation switch in New Britain (Minnesota -> Colorado) has balanced the Eastern League with six National League and six American League affiliates, the Squirrels have played 21 of their first 31 games against National League affiliates. Richmond is 7-14 in those contests in which the pitchers bat for themselves. Thus far on the year, Squirrels' hurlers are a combined 5-for-36 (.139) at the plate. The only American League affiliate the Squirrels have played is Bowie, who they meet for a fourth series this weekend. In fact, the DH will be in play for the entirety of this road trip, and when the Baysox come back to The Diamond next weekend (5/22-5/24). All told, the DH will be in play for 10 consecutive games.

OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS: The Squirrels bullpen has been a galvanizing force over the last week. Combined, the group has is riding a scoreless string of 26.1 innings pitched. The group has not allowed a run, earned or otherwise, since May 8th against Bowie at The Diamond. Every member of the bullpen has participated in the streak, which continued with four scoreless innings on Friday night. However, the bullpen got a bit of a makeover prior to Friday night's game. The Squirrels will welcome back RHP Edwin Quirarte, who is the franchise's all-time appearance leader (181 games). LHP Phil McCormick also returns from the Disabled. To make room, RHP Tyler Rogers was transferred to San Jose (A+), while RHP Tyler Mizenko was placed on the Disabled List (Shin).

WHY YOU GOTTA BRING UP OLD BLEEP?: Although the Squirrels snapped their losing streak 10 days ago in Altoona, it will live on in the team's record book. During the 15-game slide, the Squirrels were outscored 82-38, enduring four blowout (5+ run differential) losses, and were shut out four times. The Squirrels' previous franchise mark for consecutive losses was seven games. They last lost seven straight from July 8th-July 15th, 2013. They also dropped seven straight in 2010.

BOWIE STARTING PITCHER: LHP Tim Berry (0-3, 7.46)

Berry, 24, is back for his second season at the Double-A level with Bowie. He spent all of 2014 with Bowie, making 23 starts and posting a 6-7 record and 3.51 ERA. Three of those starts came against the Squirrels, including one at The Diamond on May 13th. The northern-California native was tremendous in that appearance, tossing 7.0 innings and allowing just a lone run on 5 hits. Berry entered the season - his sixth professionally - as the #7 rated prospect in the Baltimore system by Baseball America. It was somewhat of a surprise that he was a member of this Bowie staff, as many projected him to open the year with Triple-A Norfolk. The placement may be due to a shoulder issue that cost him the tail-end of the 2014 season. He was shut down by the Orioles after his outing on August 10th. Due to Tommy John surgery as a high school senior, and a seemingly firm commitment to pitch at Oregon, the Orioles were able to nab the southpaw in the 50th (final) round of the MLB draft. They then convinced him to turn pro with a $125,000 signing bonus. Although he was selected in the 2009 draft, his professional career didn't begin in earnest until 2011. He did not get on the mound at all in 2009 due to surgery and was limited to just 20 GCL innings in 2010. Berry is a noted sinkerball pitcher with a tremendous changeup that serves as his best, and primary, secondary weapon.

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