Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Akron
Published on July 20, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (48-45) vs. Akron RubberDucks (CLE) (50-45)
Monday, July 20th -- 7:05 PM
The Diamond -- Richmond, VA
Game #94 - Home Game #52
Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:35 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com
RHP Tyler Beede (2-3, 3.86) vs. RHP Adam Plutko (4-3, 2.77)
Tuesday, July 21st AKR 7:05 PM RHP Joan Gregorio (1-1, 3.99) vs. LHP Shawn Morimando (6-9, 3.3)
Wednesday, July 22nd AKR 12:05 PM LHP Kelvin Marte (8-2, 2.31) vs. RHP Mike Clevinger (6-5, 2.85)
TODAY'S PRESS FEED: Folks, it is the legendary Wing Zone tonight. There will be a variety of dipping sauces to choose from. I am anticipating a capacity crowd in the press box tonight because of this, which could create a massive waiting line once the food arrives. There will be no announcement as far as when the food will come so be on your toes. Scott Day challenged me to be funny with this portion of the email and I can already tell I am struggling and have a long way to go. Enjoy this delicious meal!
SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels welcome the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Indians) to The Diamond for a three-game showdown. This is only the second series between the two clubs so far this season. They battled at The Diamond in early July (7/4-7/6) and the Squirrels swept the RubberDucks in three contests. Richmond outscored Akron 14-6 in these games and Mitch Delfino was a significant part of the success. Delfino went 5-11 in the series with a home run, a double, and three RBI's. Richmond and Akron enter play tied atop the Eastern League with a 3.00 ERA as a team. The RubberDucks grabbed three of four games in their last series against the Erie SeaWolves and scored 28 runs total. The Squirrels scored 12 runs in five games against Altoona most recently. These two teams will meet seven more times during the remainder of the regular season. The only other series after this is at Canal Park (8/27-8/30) and at that point the Squirrels will discover their final road venue that they have not been to this season (Binghamton, the other 8/18-8/20).
TWO NEEDLES IN THE HAYSTACK: The offense tallied just 19 hits through the first four games against Altoona (7/16-7/18). Richmond has only scored more than two runs in a game twice in its previous nine contests. It is clear the bats have taken a step back, but Austin Slater and Engel Beltre have marched forwards. Slater rides an impressive 12-game on base streak and has two or more hits in seven of his 19 games since receiving the promotion from San Jose (A+). Meanwhile, Beltre has hit safely in his last 10 games. Mac Williamson has the longest hitting streak this year for the Squirrels (14 games). Beltre is the only current Richmond hitter to hold an average above .300 (.306). Slater is a close second with a .299 batting average.
ALL-STAR SLUMP: Rando Moreno struggled heading into the All-Star break and is slowly trying to reassert himself since the Squirrels have picked up play after the two off days. He went 2-21 in the final five games he played in before the break. The shortstop has improved a bit after the break and has gone 5-14 so far. This includes a three-hit game on July 18. Moreno's batting average has not been above .300 since July 6 (.304).
SHUFFLED ROTATION, NO PROBLEM: The Squirrels have had to jumble a rotation together for the most part during the recent weeks. Since June 21, the team has been forced to start a relief pitcher seven different times due to some transactions and injures. Edwin Quirarte started four of these after a sudden movement into a starting role. Even with the makeover, the Squirrels' staff has been consistent as far as logging innings. These hurlers have lasted at least six innings in their starts for 13 of the 17 games in July. Richmond pitching has been a strength this year with a 3.00 ERA which is good for the second best in the Eastern League behind Akron.
DENTED LUMBER: The Squirrels have put together a remarkable turnaround since they started the season with a 3-17 record, which included a 15-game losing streak. However, the offense has gone silent during a few stretches since the team was a season best seven games over .500 (37-30) on June 21. Richmond lost four consecutive games in late June and three of the games were shutouts. During this span, the Squirrels also went 29 innings without scoring a run. The power switch offensively in July has gone down. The Squirrels hit seven home runs in the first five games of July. They have gone yard just three times since July 6. Richmond was one game above .500 (45-44) after Thursday's game for the first time since June 6 when the team was 27-26, but managed to avoid the .500 mark with two wins Friday.
NOT MANY FREE PASSES: Richmond is at the basement of league when it comes to walks. The team is in last place in this department with 224 and that is roughly 20 less free passes taken than Bowie who is second to last in this category. The Squirrels did not draw a walk in the first three games of the recent Altoona series, but bounced back with five free passes over the final two games against the Curve. The most in a game during this month is four and that has happened three times (7/12, 7/2, 7/19). Mitch Delfino leads the team with 28 walks and has just four in his last 12 games.
UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (7/20) Bark in the Park #2 presented by VCA. (7/21) Joe Panik < AKRON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Adam Plutko (4-3, 2.77) Plutko, 23, prepares for his 18th start of the season and 10th with the RubberDucks. The right-hander began this year in Lynchburg (A+) and made eight starts. His last start with the Hillcats this year came on May 20 (7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K). This will be Plutko's first start against the Squirrels in what is just his second professional season. The Indians drafted him in the 11th round in 2013. He played his college ball at UCLA and left after his junior year. Plutko is one of just four Bruins ever to win All-Pac-12 honors three years in a row.
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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