EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Reading

Published on May 30, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (22-23) vs. Reading Fightin Phils (PHI) (25-22)

Saturday, May 30th -- 6:35 PM

FirstEnergy Stadium -- Reading, PA

Game #46 - Road Game #21

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

LHP Jack Snodgrass (4-3, 4.30) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (6-3, 1.87)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels continued their rise from the outhouse to the penthouse with their first win of the season against the Fightins on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Richmond received a career-high matching eight-inning outing from RHP Chris Stratton, who earned the win. The Squirrels have won six straight games for the second time this month, and will have the chance to match the franchise-record win-streak (See Below) tonight in the second game of this four-game series. This is the second and final trip to Baseballtown for the Squirrels. They were earlier swept in a three-game series by the Fightins from April 17th - April 19th. Reading also swept the Squirrels in a three-game series at The Diamond from April 27th - April 29th. Those six losses were part of the Squirrels record 15-game losing streak, which now seems like a distant memory. The Squirrels are 19-6 since the end of that slide on May 4th, and pulled back within a game of .500 with their win in the series-opener. Richmond has claimed six of their last seven series. Reading has continued their strong play from earlier in the season, and led by their all-prospect rotation currently sits second in the Eastern Division, five games behind division-leading New Britain. Richmond LHP Jack Snodgrass will make his 11th career appearance against Reading tonight, matched against the Phillies' top pitching prospect, RHP Aaron Nola (Bio Below).

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY WINS: After suffering through the worst month in franchise-history, and posting a dismal record of 3-14 in April, the Squirrels have matched the most successful month the franchise has ever had in the very next month. Richmond is currently 19-9 in May with two games remaining. They have equaled the franchise-record for wins in a month (19), 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. Should the Squirrels win one of their final two games in the month, they will not only break the record for total wins in a month, but also for monthly winning percentage as well.

BEER FRAME: It seemed that everybody struck for the Squirrels in the 5th inning of Wednesday night's 12-0 win over Harrisburg. The Squirrels recorded eight hits in the inning, which established a new franchise-record for hits in an inning. The Squirrels had previously recorded seven hits in an inning twice, the last time coming on July 9th, 2012, at The Diamond against Reading. The eight runs in an inning was one shy of the franchise-mark of nine runs in an inning, which was memorably established on May 26th, 2013 at Altoona. In that inning, the 1st, OF Jarrett Parker became the only Squirrel to ever homer twice in the same inning. Devin Harris and Mitch Delfino each had two hits in the fifth inning on Wednesday night.

I'M FRIGHTENED BY BATS: The Squirrels have posted the Eastern League's highest team average in the month of May (.285 - 277-981). Richmond hit a league-worst .209 (121-579) during the month of April. OF Mac Williamson currently rides a team-high 18-game on-base streak. Richmond also now sits in the top half of the league in terms of overall team average, placing sixth with an overall mark of .257 (398-1550).

RRRRANDO!: It has become difficult to ignore what INF Rando Moreno has been able to do at the plate this year. Moreno currently rides a season-high 17-game on-base streak, which dates back to 5/11. He also rides an 11-game hit-streak (18-46). He sits second behind only INF Kelby Tomlinson in OBP (.364) and batting average (.320). He is also third on the club in runs scored (23) despite the fact that he has appeared in only 32 of the Squirrels 44 games thus far.

SEVEN IS INDEED THE NUMBER: The Squirrels have claimed six consecutive victories for the second time this month, and will have their second chance to match the franchise-record for consecutive victories, which is seven. Richmond fell to Bowie, 2-0, on May 10th in their first bid. The franchise-mark was established in the Squirrels' inaugural season of 2010 when they won seven straight from April 27th - May 3rd.

LEARNING NEW TRICKS: 1B Ricky Oropesa struggled offensively in his first two years in the Eastern League. However, after getting off to an atrocious start to this season, batting just .135 (7-52) in April, the USC-product has turned a significant corner in May. He has torched Eastern League pitching during the month, batting .347 (35-101) with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs. He welcomes this road trip as well, as he is batting .368 (28-76) away from The Diamond. He has compiled five three-hit games, all of which have occurred on the road.

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 (6/14) Kids Club Shovel & Pail Giveaway presented by Coca-Cola.

READING STARTING PITCHER: RHP Aaron Nola (6-3, 1.87)

Nola entered 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 was good in April this season (2-2, 2.55 - 4 starts), but he has been special in May (4-1, 1.36 - 5 starts). He has allowed just five earned runs over his last 33 innings. He has made two starts against the Squirrels and has allowed just one earned run over 14 innings while winning in both outings. The Squirrels have managed just nine hits, while he has issued one walk against 11 strikeouts. He relies on a 93-95 FB with life and a power slider and changeup.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 30, 2015


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