EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Akron

Published on July 21, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (49-45) vs. Akron RubberDucks (CLE) (50-46)

Tuesday, July 21st -- 7:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game #95 - Home Game #53

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

RHP Joan Gregorio (1-1, 3.99) vs. LHP Shawn Morimando (6-9, 3.34)

Wednesday, July 22nd AKR 12:05 PM LHP Kelvin Marte (8-2, 2.31) vs. RHP Mike Clevinger (6-5, 2.85)

Thursday, July 23rd @ERI 7:05 PM LHP Matt Gage (1-0, 1.80) vs. TBA

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The bullpen salvaged a 4-3 victory for the Squirrels in game one of this three-game series against the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Indians). Lefty reliever Phil McCormick stranded two runners on base with a strikeout to finish the seventh inning. Tyler Mizenko allowed three hits in the ninth inning, but picked off a base runner, which helped him earn the save. The Richmond relievers tossed three innings, absorbed five hits, no runs, and registered four strikeouts. The Squirrels sit just two games back of first place Bowie and this is the nearest the team has reached first place since April 18 (-1.5 GB). The closest before this was 2.5 games, twice, back on June 23 and July 11.This battle between these Western Division foes marks 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 one and two respectively atop the Eastern League in team earned run average (3.00, 3.02). 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 three times in its previous nine contests. It is clear the bats have taken a step back, but some have marched forwards. Austin Slater compiled an impressive 12-game on base streak from July 6 to July 19. He has two or more hits in seven of his 20 games since receiving the promotion from San Jose (A+). Meanwhile, Engel Beltre has hit safely in his last 11 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 (.307).

COLE WORLD: Hunter Cole is starting to make heads turn when it comes to his approach at the plate. The 22-year-old has been slotted in the number three spot in the batting order 16 times over the 20 games he has started. He only managed to knock in two runs during his first 17 games since earning the promotion to Richmond on June 26. Cole has an RBI in each of his last three games. He is also 4-8 in his last two games with two doubles and a triple. The former Georgia Bulldog went 7-15 in his first four games with the Squirrels, but dropped off quite a bit after that. He recorded only three hits from July 7 to July 16.

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS: The Flying Squirrels have played in 13 games decided by two runs or less in July. Richmond is 6-7 in these games. The team participated in 15 games with this same margin so with almost a week left in July the Squirrels are on pace to top that. There have been four extra inning games throughout this current month and Richmond has lost all of them. The toughest stint for the bullpen came on July 1 where they were forced to use six different arms and allowed all six runs in the extra inning loss, 6-5.Tyler Mizenko has done a terrific job of limiting the damge from the opposition. He has thrown 6.1 shutout innings with six strikeouts in his last four appearances.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (7/21) Joe Panik <> Giveaway (1,500 All Ages)/University of Richmond Night. (7/22) Camp Day (12:05 PM). (7/30) Thursday Night In Your Face Fireworks Survivor Night & Superhero Jerseys presented by Your Local Ford Dealers. (7/31) "Up For Whatever" Night, Free Shirt Fridays and Happy Hour presented by Bud Light. (8/1) Superblast Saturday/Star Wars Night. (8/2) Kids Club Nutzy Cape Giveaway & ASK Night. (8/4) Charlottesville Community Night. (8/5) Tri-Cities Community Night, Tribute to Peanuts. (8/6) Thursday Night In Your Face Fireworks and Faith Night #2

RICHMOND STARTING PITCHER: RHP Joan Gregorio (1-1, 3.99)

Gregorio has appeared in 29 games for the Squirrels this year and tonight will be his second spot-start of the season. His other start this year (due to Tyler Beede's Future's Game departure) only lasted two innings and he gave up three hits, one run, no walks, and recorded four strikeouts on July 11. Joan, however, has plenty of experience as a starter. He has started 72 games dating back to his first professional season in 2010. The 23-year-old's last start before 2015 came on August 31, 2014 with Augusta (A) where he tossed six innings, allowed one run, and registered 10 strikeouts. Gregorio held a 4.37 ERA and started 17 games in 2014 while in Single-A (Augusta & San Jose). His longest bullpen outing in 2015 so far is 3.1 innings back on June 25. He was named the Giants #18 prospect following the 2014 season. Gregorio was signed as an international free agent by the Giants on March 2, 2010.

AKRON STARTING PITCHER: LHP Shawn Morimando (6-9, 3.34)

Morimando, 22, will make his 19th start of the season for the RubberDucks. He has spent the entire 2015 season so far with Akron and has displayed some control issues. The southpaw leads the team in walks with 46 in 99.2 IP. He has walked three or more batters in a game in 11 of the 18 outings. The only game in which Morimando did not issue a free pass this season came on May 7 against Bowie. He started 18 games with the Carolina Mudcats (A+) last season before he received a promotion to Akron (10 starts, 3.83 ERA). The Indians drafted Morimando in the 19th round in 2011 out of Ocean Lakes (VA) High School as an 18-year-old. He was listed as the #22 prospect in the Cleveland system after the 2013 season.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from July 21, 2015


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.

OurSports Central