EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Reading

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


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (3-3) vs. Reading Fightin' Phils (PHI) (3-3)

Friday, April 17th -- 7:05 PM

FirstEnergy Stadium -- Reading, PA

Game #7 - Road Game #1

Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:35 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com LHP Jack Snodgrass (1-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (0-1, 7.71)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels embark on their first road trip of the season, opening a three-game series at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA, against the Reading Fightin' Phils (Philadelphia Phillies). It will mark the first meeting of the season between the two National League affiliates. The two clubs will meet 14 times during the 2015 season, with each team hosting the other twice. The Squirrels will return to Baseballtown for four games (5/29-6/1). The Squirrels claimed last year's season-series by winning 8 of 13 games. Reading got the best of it the year prior, taking 11 of 17 meetings in 2013. All-time, the Fightins hold a 42-34 edge in 76 matchups. The two teams have never met in the post-season. The Squirrels will play the first-ever scheduled two-game series in franchise history at Bowie on the backend of their current trip.

WHERE ARE THE WHEELS?: A year after leading the Eastern League and smashing the previous franchise record with 169 stolen bases, the Squirrels are off to a slow start on the bases in 2015. Richmond has swiped just two bags in six attempts, and are tied with New Hampshire for the fewest in the circuit. Furthermore, Kelby Tomlinson, who also led the league and shattered the franchise single-season mark a year ago with 49 SB, is off to an 0-for-4 start on the bases. In 2014, Tomlinson was successful in his first 17 stolen base attempts, and wasn't caught until New Britain's Kyle Knudson gunned him down on May 22nd.

NEW KIDS HANGIN' TOUGH: Thus far, the new kids on the Squirrels block have been hanging tough at the Double-A level. Four pitchers (Joe Biagini, Joan Gregorio, Stephen Johnson, Matt Lujan) made their Double-A debuts during the course of the season-opening homestand. Combined, they have turned in 21.0 innings and allowed just three runs - two earned - for an ERA of 0.86. Biagini made his debut against Altoona on Monday night and turned in six two-hit scoreless frames. Johnson has appeared twice out of the bullpen and allowed no earned runs in four innings of work. (See Gregorio Note Below). Only Lujan, who pitched well despite taking a loss in his first start, has allowed an earned run. The lefty permitted two earned runs in 5.2 innings against Bowie on Sunday. Offensively, newcomers to the level, Mac Williamson and Rando Moreno, have also had success. The pair has combined to go 11-for-31 (.355) with 5 RBIs.

I'LL HAVE A DOUBLE BIG MAC...WITH CHEESE: OF Mac Williamson is making up for lost time after suffering through a lost season a year ago. The Giants' #11 prospect according to Baseball America connected for a double in each of his first two Double-A at-bats, both off of lefty Tim Berry, and added another on Saturday. He then collected three singles (3-for-4) in Sunday's series-finale. The Wake-Forest product hit safely in the first five games of the season before going hitless (0-for-3) on Wednesday against Altoona. He is batting .333 (8-24) thus far on the fledgling campaign.

GO, GO, GREGORIO: Towering right-hander Joan Gregorio has converted to the bullpen in 2015, and thus far the early returns are dominating. The 23-year old Dominican-native has made three appearances and faced 16 batters. He has retired all 16, turning in 5.1 flawless innings of relief. He has struck out three. He has already made as many relief appearances this season as he had in his career up to this point (5 Seasons). Prior to his arrival in Richmond, Gregorio had made 75 career appearances - 72 of them starts.

SOCKING SOME DINGERS: The Squirrels did not hit a home run in their season-opening series against the Baysox, nor did they allow a home run. Both things occurred in the first game against Altoona. Mitch Delfino blasted his - and the Squirrels - first home run of the season, leading off the seventh inning against Tyler Sample. It opened the floodgates for the Squirrels, who went on to score seven times in the inning. The first home run of the year came in the fifth game of the season, matching the longest amount of time at the outset of a season that it took the team to leave the yard. It also happened in 2011 and 2012. Jose Flores belted the first of the year for the Squirrels in 2011, while Chris Dominguez put Richmond on the board in 2012. RHP Tyler Rogers conceded the first home run of the season for Richmond, as Gift Ngoepe lifted a solo-home run in the ninth inning. The Squirrels' staff did last longer than any previous Richmond staff in terms of giving up their first long ball.

READING STARTING PITCHER: RHP Aaron Nola (0-1, 7.71) - Nola enters the season as the top pitching prospect, and #2 overall prospect, in the Philadelphia system according to Baseball America. The right-hander was selected out of Louisiana State University (LSU) by the Phillies with the 7th overall selection in the 2014 draft and signed for $3.3 million dollars. The polished college hurler, known for his command, ascended to the Double-A level in his draft year, finishing 2014 in Baseballtown. He more than held his own, going 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 5 starts. He had a rough outing to begin this season, surrendering 4 ER on 5 H over 4.2 IP on the road against the Portland Sea Dogs. Cold conditions certainly could have been a factor as his control lapsed. He hit three batters and walked another in the outing. He relies on a 93-95 FB with life and a power slider and changeup.

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Eastern League Stories from April 17, 2015


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