EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes at Trenton

Published on June 20, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (34-36) vs. Trenton Thunder (40-28)

Wednesday, June 20th -- 7:05 PM

Waterfront Park -- Trenton, NJ

Game # 71 - Road Game # 37

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Chris Heston (6-2, 1.00) vs. LHP Vidal Nuno (2-1, 0.33)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will attempt to get back on the winning track when they take on the Trenton Thunder in game two of a three-game series at Waterfront Park tonight. Last night, Melky Mesa delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, which scored Abraham Almonte and lifted Trenton to a 3-2 victory over the Flying Squirrels. Luke Murton went 3-for-4 and belted a solo home run - his 11th of the season - for Trenton and a trio of Thunder pitchers, starter Mikey O'Brien and relievers Ricky Orta and Ryan Flannery limited Richmond to just five hits and two earned runs. Juan Perez went 2-for-4 and was the only Richmond batter to collect multiple hits on the night. Orta (1-0) picked up the win for Trenton and Richmond reliever Tom Vessella (2-1) was charged with the loss. Flannery earned his eighth save of the season. The Flying Squirrels went 10-5 against Trenton in 2011 including a 7-1 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 13-9 all-time against the Thunder and the club is 4-7 all-time against Trenton at Waterfront Park. The two teams will meet seven times in 2012, three games in Trenton and four games in Richmond.

The two teams split a four-game series at The Diamond over Memorial Day weekend.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Chris Heston vs. LHP Vidal Nuno Heston: Makes his fourteenth start for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Heston allowed six hits and one earned run along with one walk and four strikeouts in seven innings pitched against New Hampshire June 13. He received a non-decision in Richmond's 6-5 triumph in 11 innings. Tonight's game will be Heston's second career start against the Thunder. He allowed six hits and one earned run and recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in six innings pitched against Trenton May 27. He earned his fifth win of the season in the ballgame. Heston currently leads the Eastern League in ERA (1.00) and WHIP (0.93). Additionally, he ranks third in the circuit in opponents' average (.202) and he is tied for third in strikeouts (70). Last season, Heston went 12-4 and posted a 3.16 ERA, which led the California League, in 24 starts with Advanced-A San Jose. His 12 wins tied him for second in the circuit behind current Squirrels teammate Craig Westcott. As a result, the 24-year-old right-hander was named a California League Mid-Season All-Star. Heston's success in San Jose came on the heels of a middling season with Low-A Augusta, in which he compiled a 5-13 mark with a 3.75 ERA in 26 starts in 2010. Heston owns a 24-24 record with a 3.03 ERA in 74 career minor league appearances, including 69 starts. The Palm Bay, Fla. native was originally selected by Minnesota in the 47th round of the 2007 June Draft, but he did not sign. He also did not sign after being picked by Washington in the 29th round of the 2008 June Draft. He signed with San Francisco after the Giants selected him in the 12th round of the 2009 June Draft out of East Carolina University.

Nuno: Makes his seventeenth appearance and seventh start of the season tonight. Nuno opened the season with Advanced-A Tampa, where he went 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 11 appearances, including one start. Since being promoted to Trenton, Nuno has posted a 2-1 record with a 0.33 ERA in five starts. In his last start, Nuno allowed three hits and no runs along with one walk and four strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched at Altoona June 13. He earned the win in Trenton's 2-0 triumph. Tonight's game will be his second career start against the Flying Squirrels. Nuno is 0-1 with a 0.00 ERA against Richmond. He boasts a career record of 23-14 with two saves and a 2.87 ERA in 75 appearances, including 43 starts. He was originally selected by the Indians in the 48th round of the 2009 June Draft out of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS. Nuno was signed by the Yankees out of the independent Frontier League in the middle of the 2011 season.

ROAD WOES: The Flying Squirrels lost the opener of their current three-game road trip and will attempt to reverse a trend of losing away from the friendly confines of The Diamond. Richmond lost their first three road games of the season at New Britain (4/5-4/6) and went 3-4 on its opening road trip against New Britain and Bowie. The Flying Squirrels are 3-7-1 in their 11 series away from The Diamond this season. Their lone road series victories came at Bowie (4/9-4/11), at Harrisburg (5/7-5/9) and at New Hampshire (6/5-6/7). Richmond is now 14-22 on the road in 2012. Last season, Richmond compiled a 32-39 (.451) mark away from The Diamond. In franchise history, the Flying Squirrels are 77-101 (.433) on the road.

THE REAL DON JUAN: After going 2-for-4 in last night's series opener at Trenton, Juan Perez is now hitting .333 in his last five games (7-for-21) with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Perez delivered a walk-off RBI single against Portland on Sunday afternoon to lift Richmond to a 5-4 triumph in 10 innings and a series victory in the three-game set.

RAGIN' CAJUN: Although he did not factor in the decision in last night's 3-2 loss at Trenton, Craig Westcott did turn in another quality start (six or more innings pitched, three or fewer earned runs) by allowing five hits, two runs and one earned run in six innings of work. The Chalmette, La. native has delivered quality starts in seven of his last nine outings. He is 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA (16 ER/56.2 IP) during this stretch.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 20, 2012


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