EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at New Hampshire

Published on June 6, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (26-26) vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) (26-28)

Saturday, June 6th -- 7:05 PM

Northeast Delta Dental Stadium -- Manchester, NH

Game #53 - Road Game #28

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

RHP Kyle Crick (1-1, 1.78) vs. RHP Joel Pineiro (1-2, 5.70)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels gun for the series win in the middle-game of a three-game series with the Fisher Cats. The Squirrels got the bats going in the opener, blasting New Hampshire, 12-1, with a season-high 18 hits. In the outburst, SS Rando Moreno tied the franchise record with five hits. RHP Tyler Beede also dazzled in his Double-A debut, tossing seven two-hit scoreless innings. The Squirrels returned to a .500 record for the first time since they were 3-3 on April 15th. Richmond is making their only visit to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, and will meet the Fisher Cats just six times during the regular season. New Hampshire will make their only trip to Richmond for a three-game series August 4th through August 6th. The Squirrels hold a 19-12 advantage in the all-time series, as the two teams have met six times in each of Richmond's first five seasons in the league. However, the Fisher Cats claimed their last Eastern League title in 2011 by defeating the Flying Squirrels three games to one in the Eastern League Championship Series. The Squirrels will send RHP Kyle Crick in his ninth start of the year against Fisher Cats' RHP Joel Pineiro.

CAIN TRYING TO GET ABLE: The San Francisco Giants have announced that RHP Matt Cain will make a rehabilitation start for Richmond on Tuesday (6/9) night at The Diamond. Cain will face the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). Cain, a three-time National League All-Star, will be making his first rehab appearance as he attempts to return from a flexor strain (forearm). He will become just the second Giant to rehab with the Squirrels. RHP Ryan Vogelsong was the first, making two starts for the Squirrels in 2013.

AN HONOR FOR OROPESA: 1B Ricky Oropesa was named as the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of May. The award was announced by the league office on Friday afternoon. Oropesa batted .343 (37-108) during the month, notching 8 2Bs, 6 HRs and 25 RBIs. During the course of the month, the USC-product raised his batting average from .135 at the end of April to .275 at the close of May. The award is the first monthly award for Oropesa in his third year in the Eastern League.

HARRIS EARNS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: On Monday, the Eastern League announced that OF Devin Harris had been named EL Player of the Week for the week of 5/25-5/31. During the week, Harris hit .370 (10-27) with 2 2Bs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs and 9 runs scored. The Squirrels went 5-2 during the week as well. Harris' honor is the first garnered by a Flying Squirrel this season.

APRIL SHOWERS BROUGHT MAY WINS: After suffering through the worst month in franchise-history, and posting a dismal record of 3-14 in April, the Squirrels matched the most successful month the franchise has ever had in the very next month. Richmond finished 19-11. Their19 wins equaled the franchise-record for wins in a month, which has now been accomplished three times. Last year, the Squirrels went 19-10 in June and followed that up with an 18-11 July to pull away in the Western Division. In 2011, the Squirrels used a 19-12 month of July to pull back into the playoff race. In each of those seasons, the Squirrels advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series.

WHO'S THE NEW GUY, AND WHERE DID JACK GO?: The Squirrels have had quite a roster makeover during their current 10-game road trip. On Tuesday, LHP Jack Snodgrass finally received his first promotion to Triple-A Sacramento. Snodgrass left as the Squirrels all-time leader in wins (27). He was named Squirrels' Pitcher of the Year in each of the last two seasons. Snodgrass had a travel partner as RHP Chris Stratton also was promoted to Sacramento. Then on Wednesday, the Giants promoted OF Ryan Lollis as well. RHP Tyler Mizenko was reinstated from the Disabled List on Tuesday and OF Engel Beltre joined the team from Extended Spring Training on Wednesday. LHP Adalberto Mejia was added to the roster Thursday from Extended Spring Training, and RHP Tyler Beede was added from San Jose (A+) on Friday. To make room, RHP Joan Gregorio was placed on the Disabled List with Patella Tendonitis.

STRONG OPENING REMARKS: Richmond starting pitching has been tremendous during the Squirrels' current road trip, which is the longest in franchise history. After RHP Tyler Beede tossed seven scoreless innings on Friday night, Richmond starters have now thrown 49 innings on this trip. They have collectively allowed just eight earned runs, while on three occasions a starting pitcher has lasted at least seven innings. For the trip, the starting pitchers carry a collective ERA of 1.47.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (6/9) Kids Thermos Giveaway presented by Martin's (6/10) Middle Child Night (6/11) Fireworks!/Tribute to Meat presented by Your Local Ford Dealers (6/12) Free Shirt Fridays & Happy Hour presented by Village Bank/Boy Scout Sleepover (6/13) Fireworks!/Swim Team Jersey Auction presented by Towne Bank/Rayvon Owens Appearance (6/14) Kids Club Shovel & Pail Giveaway presented by Coca-Cola.

NEW HAMPSHIRE STARTING PITCHER: RHP Joel Pineiro (1-2, 5.70)

Pineiro, 36, has won more than 100 games in the Major Leagues, the majority of those with the Seattle Mariners. He was originally drafted by Seattle in the 12th round out of Edison CC in 1997. He broke into the big leagues for the first time with Seattle in 2000. He was a constant in the Mariners' rotation from 2001 to 2006, winning 30 combined games between 2002 and 2003. He has also pitched for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels. He won 15 games with the Cardinals in 2008 and 10 with the Angels in 2009. He last appeared in the big leagues in 2011 with the Angels. He carries a lifetime big league record of 104-96 in 335 appearances - 263 starts. He makes his fifth start of the season tonight for New Hampshire. He missed 50 games last year for testing positive for a banned substance and signed a minor league deal with Toronto in the off-season.

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Eastern League Stories from June 6, 2015


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