EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Akron

Published on September 1, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (70-69) vs. Akron Aeros (80-59)

Saturday, September 1st -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 140 - Home Game # 69

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:05 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Craig Westcott (11-10, 4.25) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (4-0, 2.25)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will aim for a bounce back win when they take on the Akron Aeros in the second game of a four-game set at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Ryan Rohlinger went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs and Toru Murata tossed six scoreless innings to lead the Aeros to an 8-1 victory over the Flying Squirrels. With the win, Akron clinched the Western Division regular season title. Johnny Monell went 3-for-3 with two doubles and he scored Richmond's lone run. Squirrels starter Chris Gloor tossed three scoreless innings, but left the game after he was hit by a line drive on the final play of the third inning. Richmond reliever Austin Fleet (2-3) gave up four hits and three runs, two of which were earned, in one inning of work and he was charged with the loss. Murata (3-1) earned the win for Akron. The Flying Squirrels went 5-6 against Akron in 2011 including a 2-1 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 12-17 all-time against the Aeros and the club is 5-6 all-time in the River City. The two teams will meet 14 times in 2012, 6 times in Akron and 8 times in Richmond. The two clubs split a four-game series in Akron's first trip to The Diamond in late July (7/19-7/22).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Craig Westcott vs. RHP Danny Salazar Westcott: Makes his twenty-eighth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Westcott allowed nine hits hits and six earned runs, which matched his season-high, along with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings pitched against Harrisburg Monday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 8-6 triumph. Tonight's game will be Westcott's third career start against Akron. He is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA against the Aeros. Westcott is currently tied for second in the Eastern League in wins (11) and ranks third in the circuit in innings pitched (159.0). After splitting the 2010 season between Advanced-A San Jose and Richmond, Westcott spent the entire 2011 campaign back in San Jose. Westcott enjoyed a banner year in the California League as he posted a 13-4 record with a 3.42 ERA in 25 appearances, including 24 starts. His 13 wins tied for the most in the Cal League and he finished fourth in the circuit in ERA (3.42). As a result, Westcott was named both a Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star. He was also a Mid-Season All-Star in the Cal League in 2010 after going 6-0 with a miniscule 1.83 ERA in 13 starts with San Jose before being promoted to Richmond. Westcott did not enjoy the same level of success with the Flying Squirrels however, as he compiled a 3-3 mark with a 5.13 ERA in the second half of the season. He owns a record of 40-17 with a 3.61 ERA in 92 career minor league appearances, including 84 starts. The Chalmette, LA native was selected by the Giants in the 30th round of the 2009 June Draft out of Belhaven (MS) College.

Salazar: Makes his twenty-second start of the season and his sixth for the Aeros tonight. Salazar opened the season with Advanced- A Carolina, where he posted a 1-2 record with a 2.68 ERA in 16 starts. Since his promotion to Akron, Salazar has compiled a 4-0 record with a 2.25 ERA in five starts. In his last start, Salazar allowed three hits and one earned run along with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings pitched at Altoona Monday. He earned his fourth win in Akron's 4-1 triumph. Tonight's game will be Salazar's first career start against Richmond. The right-hander split the entire 2011 campaign between Cleveland's Rookie Ball club in the Arizona Rookie League and Low-A Lake County. In eight starts, he posted a combined record of 0-2 with a 3.07 ERA. Salazar boasts a career minor league record of 20-17 with a 3.26 ERA in 82 appearances, including 81 starts. He was signed by Cleveland as a non-drafted free agent following the 2006 season.

HERE'S JOHNNY: Flying Squirrels catcher Johnny Monell continued his hot streak at the plate last night. Monell went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored. In Thursday's win over Harrisburg, Monell went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs, which ties him with Juan Perez for the team lead in home runs (11). Over the course of the current home stand, Monell is batting .438 (7-for-16) with two home runs, two doubles and four runs scored (five games).

THE GREAT GLOOR: Richmond starting pitcher Chris Gloor's final start of the 2012 season came to a premature end when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Akron's Carlos Rojas on the final play of the third inning. Gloor did not return to the game, which was unfortunate since the southpaw had tossed three scoreless innings. Akron scored six runs over the next two innings and never looked back. Gloor enjoyed a breakthrough season with Richmond. The former Quinnipiac University standout compiled a 4-5 record with a 2.81 ERA in 32 appearances, including 13 starts, with the Richmond. As a reliever, Gloor tossed 19.2 consecutive scoreless innings (May 1-June 15), which was the club's longest scoreless innings streak until Chris Heston surpassed it with a string of 20.1 scoreless frames in August. Since moving into the starting rotation in late June, Gloor went 3-4 with a 2.74 ERA.

SLUMP BUSTER: Ryan Cavan is batting .308 (4-for-13) with two RBIs and a run scored over his last five games after he suffered through a 1-for-22 slide (8/19-8/26).

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from September 1, 2012


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