EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Bowie

Published on May 17, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (13-20) vs. Bowie Baysox (BAL) (19-17)

Saturday, May 17th -- 2:05 PM

Prince George's Stadium -- Bowie, MD

Game #34 - Road Game #16

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

LHP Jack Snodgrass (2-3, 4.94) vs. RHP Terry Doyle (2-0, 2.45)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels fell short in their first attempt to take this four-game series, stumbling in an, 8-4, loss on Saturday night. With that loss, Richmond dropped to a woeful 1-9 on the weekend (Saturday/Sunday). The Squirrels lost a four-run lead in the ballgame, as the Baysox brushed past them by plating the final eight runs of the contest. The game was delayed at the outset by an hour and 40 minutes. Today will mark the 13th 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 season-series as well as the all-time series are both deadlocked. The season-series is square at six wins apiece. The all-time series, which dates back to 2010 is even at 69 wins apiece.. The Squirrels enter play today having won 10 of their last 13 games, and each of their last three series. Bowie snapped a season-high five game slide with their win on Saturday, and continue to hold second place in the West. LHP Jack Snodgrass makes the start in the finale for the Squirrels against RHP Terry Doyle (Bio Below). Doyle steps into the rotation to take the place of RHP Elih Villaneuva, who was scheduled to start today before a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk.

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 13 games, and our currently tied for 4th place in the Western Division. After posting a record of 3-14 in the month of April, Richmond is currently 10-6 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 .260 in May, a 51-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 .362 (21-58) 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 110 points (.135-.245) during the month of May. He has done so by batting .344 (20-58) 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: Before allowing five runs on Saturday night, the Squirrels bullpen had been a galvanizing force over the last week. Combined, the group compiled a scoreless string of 26.1 innings pitched that dated back to May 8th. Every member of the bullpen had participated in the streak, which was extended with four scoreless innings on Friday night. However, the bullpen got a bit of a makeover prior to Friday night's game. The Squirrels welcomed back RHP Edwin Quirarte, who is the franchise's all-time appearance leader (181 games). Oddly, it was the usually dependable Quirarte that the streak was snapped against. 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: RHP Terry Doyle (2-0, 2.45)

Doyle, 29, steps into the rotation to fill the hole left behind by RHP Elih Villaneuva's promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. Villaneuva was promoted on Thursday, and was scheduled to make the Sunday start. Doyle is a journeyman at this stage of his career, having previously spent time in both the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox systems. He also pitched in Japan (Softbank) during the 2012 season. Doyle was originally drafted in the 37th round of the 2008 draft by the White Sox out of Boston College University. He had been selected in the 21st round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but did not sign. He flourished in 2014 in the Braves system, making a combined 28 appearances - 7 starts - between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. Combined, he went 5-4 with a 2.91 ERA. He faces the Squirrels for the third time today, but first as a starter. In his first two appearances he has allowed just six hits and one earned run in 8.1 innings.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 17, 2015


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