EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes Vs. Altoona

Published on April 15, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


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

Sunday, April 15th -- 1:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 11 - Home Game # 4

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (1:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Justin Fitzgerald (0-1, 5.59) vs. RHP Aaron Pribanic (0-1, 2.70)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will aim for their second straight win and second consecutive series victory in the finale of a four-game series against the Altoona Curve today at The Diamond. Last night, Mike Kickham and a trio of Richmond relievers - Austin Fleet, Chris Gloor and Daryl Maday - combined to shutout Altoona in the Squirrels' 1-0 triumph. Kickham (1-0) was sharp in his second career Double-A start and first against Altoona as he limited the Curve to three hits in six scoreless innings. He also struck out six batters and issued three walks. Meanwhile, Altoona's Brandon Cumpton (0-2) nearly matched Kickham pitch for pitch, save for the solo home run he gave up to Johnny Monell in the bottom of the fourth, which proved to be the difference in the game. The Flying Squirrels went 9-8 against Altoona in 2011 including a 4-2 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 21-25 all-time against the Curve and the club is 13-11 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: RHP Justin Fitzgerald vs. LHP Aaron Pribanic Fitzgerald: Makes his third start of the season for the Flying Squirrels today. In his last start, Fitzgerald allowed five hits and three earned runs along with three walks and two strikeouts in 5.2 innings at Bowie Tuesday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 5-4 victory. Last season, Fitzgerald went 9-9 and posted a 3.51 ERA in a team-high 27 starts with Richmond. He also led the 2011 Flying Squirrels pitching staff in innings pitched (146.1), finished second on the club in wins (9) and walks allowed (55) and third in strikeouts (111). As a result, Fitzgerald was named an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star. He also posted a 1-0 mark with a 2.70 ERA in two playoff starts and earned the win in the clinching game of Richmond's sweep of Harrisburg in the Western Division Championship Series. In 2010, he posted a 10-6 record with a 3.45 ERA in 26 appearances, including 25 starts, with Advanced-A San Jose and earned a spot on the California League Mid-Season All-Star team. Fitzgerald owns a 22-18 record with a 3.59 ERA in 111 career minor league appearances, including 54 starts. The Santa Rosa, Calif. native was selected by the Giants in the 11th round of the 2008 June Draft out of UC-Davis.

Pribanic: Makes his second start of the season tonight. In his first start, Pribanic allowed four hits and three runs, only one of which was earned, along with six walks and four strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched against Akron Monday. He took the loss in Altoona's 5-1 setback. The right-hander spent the entire 2011 campaign with Altoona and compiled a 10-9 record with a 3.88 ERA in 28 appearances, including 27 starts. Pribanic ranked t-2nd in the Eastern League in starts (27), and finished fourth in the circuit in hits allowed (169) and innings pitched (153.0). As a result, he was chosen as an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star. In 2010, Pribanic went 7-6 with a 3.33 ERA, which tied him for 8th in the Florida State League, in 27 starts for Advanced-A Bradenton, In 83 career minor league appearances, including 79 starts, Pribanic owns a 29-26 record with a 3.52 ERA. Pribanic was originally selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2008 June Draft out of the University of Nebraska. His grandfather, Jim Coates, pitched for nine seasons in the Major Leagues and was an American League All-Star with the New York Yankees in 1960.

SQUIRRELS DIG THE LONG BALL: Johnny Monell's solo home run in last night's contest was the fourth HR hit by a Richmond batter this season. Although the Squirrels have yet to post a multi-homer game, Richmond is 4-0 in games in which a Squirrels hitter homers.

DOUBLING UP: The Flying Squirrels turned two more double plays last night giving the team 13 double plays in its first 10 games. Richmond is second in the Eastern League in most double plays turned, trailing Reading's 14 DPs.

MORE MAYORA: After going 0-for-6 in the first two games of the series, Daniel Mayora went 3-for-3 in last night's game against Altoona. It was Mayora's fifth multi-hit game of the season, which ranks second on the club behind Chris Dominguez, who has six multi-hit games. In his first season in the Giants organization, the veteran third baseman is hitting .355 with four RBIs in nine games.

BEARING DOWN: Although he has struggled at times with his control - seven walks in 9.2 innings pitched - Squirrels starter Mike Kickham has yet to allow an earned run this season. The former Missouri State Bear pitched around three hits and three walks and tossed six scoreless innings against Altoona last night. He was rewarded with his first Double-A as the Squirrels triumphed 1-0 in a pitchers' duel.

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Eastern League Stories from April 15, 2012


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