Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Altoona
Published on May 4, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Richmond Flying Squirrels (13-14) vs. Altoona Curve (10-15)
Friday, May 4th -- 6:30 PM
Peoples Natural Gas Field -- Altoona, PA
Game # 28 - Road Game # 14
Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:00 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com
LHP Jason Stevenson (1-4, 6.92) vs. RHP Mike Colla (0-3, 4.01)
SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will look to even their overall record when they take on the Altoona Curve in the opener of a four-game series at Peoples Natural Gas Field tonight. Last night, Craig Westcott allowed six hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, and recorded three strikeouts as Richmond defeated Bowie 6-2 to earn a split the four-game series between the two clubs at The Diamond. Joel Weeks went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to pace the Flying Squirrels offense and Wendell Fairley went 1-for-2 with an RBI after entering the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning. Richmond relievers Austin Fleet and Tom Vessella combined to toss three scoreless innings to preserve the Squirrels victory. Richmond finished the seven-game home stand with a 4-3 record. The Flying Squirrels went 9-8 against Altoona in 2011 including a 5-6 mark in Altoona. Richmond is 23-27 all-time against the Curve and the club is 9-15 all-time at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The two teams will meet 21 times in 2012, 14 times in Altoona and 7 times in Richmond. Richmond won three of the first four games between the two teams at The Diamond (4/12-/4/15) and Altoona took two out of three from the Squirrels in an abbreviated three-game series in Altoona (4/19-4/22). Following this four-game series, the Flying Squirrels will meet again in Altoona at the end of the month (5/29-5/31).
TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Jason Stevenson vs. RHP Mike Colla Stevenson: Makes his sixth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Stevenson allowed seven hits and four earned runs along with no walks and two strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched against New Britain Sunday. He took the loss in Richmond's 5-2 setback. Tonight's game will be his third career appearance, all starts, against Altoona. He is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA against the Curve. In his only 2012 start against Altoona, Stevenson allowed five hits and two unearned runs along with two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings pitched at The Diamond April 12. He earned his lone win of the season to this point in Richmond's 7-3 victory. Stevenson, a former Montreal/Washington farmhand returned to baseball following a five-year hiatus for personal reasons that began after the 2005 season. The 30-year-old southpaw signed with the Chico (CA) Outlaws of the independent North American League in 2011 and posted an 8-0 mark with a 1.68 ERA in 9 appearances, including 8 starts and earned a spot in the NAL All-Star Game. After signing with the Giants, Stevenson went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his lone start with Richmond as he allowed just one earned run in seven innings pitched at Altoona on Sept. 5. He also posted a 1-0 mark with a 5.56 ERA in two starts with Triple-A Fresno. Stevenson boasts a 35-41 record with a 4.67 ERA and three saves in 157 career minor league appearances, including 67 starts. He was originally selected by the Expos in the 12th round of the 2000 June Draft out of Sacramento City College. Stevenson resides in Redding, Calif.
Colla: Makes his sixth start of the season tonight. In his last start, Colla allowed three hits and two earned runs along with three walks and seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched at Akron Sunday. He received a no-decision in Altoona's 3-2 setback. The right-hander has spent parts of the past two seasons with the Curve, including the entire 2011 campaign in which he posted a 5-11 record with a 3.70 ERA in 29 appearances, including 23 starts. He finished tied 2nd in the Eastern League in home runs allowed (20), ranked fourth in opponents' average (.229) and fifth in WHIP (1.17). Colla is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA (7 ER/11.0 IP) in five career appearances, including one start, against the Flying Squirrels. He has a career record of 13-23 with two saves and a 3.97 ERA in 121 appearances, including 28 starts. He was selected by the Pirates in the 14th round of the 2008 June Draft out the University of Arizona.
RAGIN' CAJUN: Last night, Flying Squirrels starter Craig Westcott won his second consecutive to start to even his record at 2-2. Westcott allowed just two runs, one of which was earned, on six hits in six innings pitched. The Chalmette, LA native is now 2-0 with a 3.22 ERA (8 ER/22.1 IP) in his last four starts after beginning the 2012 campaign with an 0-2 mark and an 8.37 ERA (9 ER/9.2 IP).
GO WEST, YOUNG MAN: The Flying Squirrels have amassed an 8-6 record against Western Division foes, including a 5-3 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is averaging 4.35 runs per game (61 R/14 G) against Western Division opponents. Conversely, Richmond has struggled against Eastern Division opponents. The Flying Squirrels are 5-8 against Eastern Division foes and are averaging 2.54 runs per game (33 R/13 G).
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: Reliever Austin Fleet continues to impress when called upon this season. Fleet tossed two scoreless frames for the Flying Squirrels last night. In his last five appearances, Fleet has allowed just four hits and four walks along with nine strikeouts in 8.1 innings of scoreless relief. As a result, Fleet now has a 1.42 ERA this season (12.2 innings pitched).
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