EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Erie

Published on July 23, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (51-45) vs. Erie SeaWolves (DET) (37-59)

Thursday, July 23rd -- 7:05 PM

Jerry Uht Park -- Erie, PA

Game #97 - Road Game #43

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

LHP Matt Gage (1-0, 1.80) vs. RHP Chad Green (2-13, 5.04)

Friday, July 24th @ERI 7:05 PM LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-2, 2.82) vs. LHP Josh Turley (9-6, 3.34)

Saturday, July 25th @ERI 7:05 PM RHP Joe Biagini (8-5, 1.91) vs. RHP Tommy Collier (3-0, 2.24)

TODAY'S FEED: This Day in Sports History...Philadelphia's Jim Thome drove in his 1,000th and 1,001st RBI of his career with a two run home-run of Chicago's Matt Clement at Wrigley Field (2003).

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels embark on a four-game weekend series against the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) at Jerry Uht Park in Erie, PA. This is part of a seven-game business trip for Richmond. It is the third meeting so far this year between Erie and Richmond during the Eastern League regular season collision course. The SeaWolves grabbed two of the three contests back in the first duel (5/18-5/20). The Squirrels starting pitchers (Matt Lujan, Kyle Crick, Joe Biagini) struggled in this series and allowed 16 of the 20 runs Erie scored throughout the three days. Richmond committed four errors (tied for most in a game this year) in game three. The Squirrels returned the favor and took two of three at The Diamond in mid June (6/12-6/14). Erie enters the weekend after an absolute slugfest series with the Altoona Curve. The SeaWolves lost the final three games and this included a wild doubleheader. The Curve post 24 hits and 18 runs in game one of the twin bill. In game two, Erie swallowed a 7-1 lead in the final frame and Altoona put up seven runs in the inning to win the game. Meanwhile, Richmond is back to playing strong baseball. The Squirrels have won six of their previous seven games and just recorded their fifth series sweep against the RubberDucks (7/20-7/22).

NEARING THE TOP: Believe it or not, the uphill climb is soon to be forgotten. The Flying Squirrels are just one game back of the first place Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles). It is the closest Richmond has been to the top since April 15 when the team was just 3-3 (0.5 GB). Joan Gregorio stepped up in an unexpected role and threw four shutout innings Tuesday in just his second start (spot-start) this season to help the club inch closer towards the top. The team was two games back entering Tuesday's matchup, but prior to that had no memory of what it felt like to be at the top for a while. Since April 19, the Squirrels have only been 2.5 games back of first place on two dates until Monday came around (6/23, 7/11). Richmond was as far back as 11.5 games (May 3) when the club was in the midst of a 15-game losing skid.

COLE WORLD WITH BELTRE: Hunter Cole is starting to make heads turn when it comes to his approach at the plate. He only managed to knock in two runs during his first 17 games since earning the promotion to Richmond on June 26. Cole has four RBI's in his last five games. He also has six hits in his last four games, which includes two doubles, a triple, and a bunt single. The former Georgia Bulldog went 7-15 in his first four games with the Squirrels. Another mid-season arrival, Engel Beltre is in the midst of a tremendous stretch. He carries a 13-game hitting streak to Erie. Mac Williamson has the longest hitting streak this year for the Squirrels (14 games). He has waited late into games recently to extend this streak. In four of his last five games, his first hit has occurred in the sixth inning or later. Beltre and Austin Slater are the only two Richmond hitters to hold a batting average north of .300 (.308, both).

SMALL BALL: Richmond has dropped down seven productive bunts in its last four games. Two of these were just pure singles and the other five were sacrifice bunts. In four of the sacrifice scenarios, the base runners have eventually come around to score after advancing up one bag. Rando Moreno leads the team with 16 sacrifice bunts. The Squirrels are 3rd in the Eastern League with 41 this season.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (7/30) Thursday Night In Your Face Fireworks Survivor Night & Superhero Jerseys presented by Your Local Ford Dealers. (7/31) "Up For Whatever" Night, Free Shirt Fridays and Happy Hour presented by Bud Light. (8/1) Superblast Saturday/Star Wars Night. (8/2) Kids Club Nutzy Cape Giveaway & ASK Night. (8/4) Charlottesville Community Night. (8/5) Tri-Cities Community Night, Tribute to Peanuts. (8/6) Thursday Night In Your Face Fireworks and Faith Night #2

RICHMOND STARTING PITCHER: LHP Matt Gage (1-0, 1.80)

Gage was called up from Augusta (A) and made his Double-A debut on July 17 in game two of a doubleheader at The Diamond. The southpaw tossed five innings, operated around seven hits he allowed with just one run, and registered five strikeouts. The 22-year-old made 15 starts (4-4, 4.07) with the GreenJackets this season and in his last two outings tossed seven innings each with 15 strikeouts and no runs. The Giants drafted Gage in the 10th round in 2014. He played his college ball at Siena where he spent two seasons before going pro. Gage holds a school record 88 strikeouts and that occurred during his sophomore year.

ERIE STARTING PITCHER: RHP Chad Green (2-13, 5.04)

Green, 23, faces the Squirrels for the second time, and makes his 19th start of the season. He has let up 19 hits and 13 runs (5 ER) over 8.1 innings in his last two starts. The South Carolina native collected just his second win on the year in his first and only start against Richmond on May 20 (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K). Originally a 11th round selection of the Tigers out of Louisville in the 2013 draft, Green has moved quickly through the system. That includes skipping the Advanced-A level to be placed in Erie this year. He made 23 starts for Low-A West Michigan in 2014, posting a 6-4 record and 3.13 record. He is currently rated as the #29 prospect in the Detroit system by Baseball America. His home/road splits are almost amazing, as he has posted an alarming 6.66 ERA in 10 starts at Jerry Uht Park, while compiling a 3.22 mark in eight starts on the road. He has allowed the second most hits on the team in 94.2 innings (118).

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Eastern League Stories from July 23, 2015


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