EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes Vs. Altoona

Published on April 14, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (4-5) vs. Altoona Curve (4-3)

Saturday, April 14th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 10 - Home Game # 3

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

LHP Mike Kickham (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Brandon Cumpton (0-1, 10.38)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will attempt to get back on the winning track in the third game of a four-game series against the Altoona Curve tonight at The Diamond. Last night, a trio of Altoona pitchers, Nathan Baker, Vic Black and Tim Alderson combined to shutout the Squirrels in the Curve's 6-0 triumph. Baker (2-0) was sharp in his second career Double-A start and first against Richmond, as he limited the Squirrels to just two hits in six scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Richmond's Chris Heston (0-1) turned in a quality start as the right-hander allowed four hits and three runs, two of which were earned, in six innings pitched. The Flying Squirrels went 9-8 against Altoona in 2011 including a 4-2 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 20-25 all-time against the Curve and the club is 12-11 all-time in the River City. The two teams will meet 21 times in 2012, 14 times in Altoona and 7 times in Richmond. Following this four-game series, on the opening home stand, the Curve will not return to Richmond until July 16th-18th. The next meeting between the two teams will be April 19th-22nd at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Mike Kickham vs. RHP Brandon Cumpton Kickham: Makes his second start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his first start, Kickham allowed one hit and one unearned run along with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings at Bowie Monday. However, the southpaw did issue four walks, the highest single-game for any Richmond starter in the 2012 campaign. Last season, Kickham went 5-10 and posted a 4.11 ERA in 21 starts with Low-A Augusta. He entered the 2012 season ranked as the #20 prospect in the Giants farm system. As a professional, Kickham owns a 5-10 record with a 4.13 ERA in 25 career minor league appearances, including 22 starts. Kickham enjoyed a successful, albeit brief, career at Missouri State University, where he finished fifth in school history in single-season strikeouts (106) and won the team's Dave Dickensheet Pitcher-of-the-Year award in his lone season with the Bears. The St. Lous, MO native was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2010 June Draft as a draft-eligible sophomore. He signed with San Francisco after the Giants for a $410,000.

Cumpton: Makes his second start of the season tonight. In his first start, Cumpton allowed seven hits and five earned runs, along with a walk and two strikeouts, in 4.1 innings pitched against Erie April 7. He took the loss in Altoona's 12-1 setback. The righthander is in his first season with the Curve after splitting the 2011 season between Low-A West Virginia and Advanced-A Bradenton.

He began the season with West Virginia and went 7-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 13 appearances, including 12 starts with the Power.

Following a midseason promotion, Cumpton compiled a 3-3 mark with 3.66 ERA in 13 appearances, including 12 starts. Cumpton began his pro career with Short-Season-A State College in 2010 and went 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in four appearances, including three starts. He has a career record of 10-9 with a 4.07 ERA in 31 appearances, including 28 starts. Cumpton was selected by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2010 June Draft out of Georgia Tech.

NO RUNNING: The Flying Squirrels were shutout for the first time in 2012, falling to the Altoona Curve 6-0 last night at The Diamond. The club was shutout 10 times last season as it ended the year tied with Altoona for the fewest runs scored (574).

Richmond has scored 31 runs (T-6th) through the first nine games this season. The team scored 30 runs through the first nine games in 2011.

STRONG ARMED: The Flying Squirrels threw out a pair of runners on the bases last night as Gary Brown gunned down Tony Sanchez at home in the top of the fourth inning and Juan Perez threw out Robbie Grossman in the seventh. Left fielder Chris Dominguez leads the team with two outfield assists. Richmond ranks third in the Eastern League in outfield assists as a team.

Trenton and New Britain are tied for the EL lead with five outfield assists as a team.

DOUBLING UP: The Flying Squirrels turned two more double plays last night giving the team 11 double plays in its first nine games. Richmond is tied for second with New Britain in most double plays turned, trailing Reading's 14 DPs.

THE DON JUAN: Flying Squirrels rightfielder Juan Perez has been swinging a hot bat of late. With a single in last night's contest, Perez extended his current hit streak to seven games. In 131 games with Richmond in 2011, Perez's longest hit streak was six games.

In his current hit streak, Perez is batting .393 (11-28) with a home run, a double, four RBIs and five runs scored.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from April 14, 2012


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