EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Altoona

Published on July 18, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (50-47) vs. Altoona Curve (44-50)

Wednesday, July 18th -- 7:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 98 - Home Game # 47

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (6:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Justin Fitzgerald (5-6, 3.95) vs. RHP Kyle McPherson (1-4, 4.40)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will aim for their fifth straight win when they take on the Altoona Curve in the finale of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Daniel Mayora went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs and Mike Kickham allowed five hits and two earned runs in seven innings pitched as the Flying Squirrels overwhelmed the Curve 10-2.

Richmond broke the game open by scoring a new franchise-record eight runs in the third inning, capped by Mayora's three-run double. Kickham (8-7) earned his eighth win of the season and his third in four July starts. Altoona starter Tim Alderson (4-4) took the loss after allowing seven hits and eight earned runs in two and 2/3 innings of work. With the win, Richmond overtook Harrisburg for sole possession of second place in the Eastern League Western Division standings. The Flying Squirrels now have four consecutive wins and nine victories in their last ten games. The Flying Squirrels went 9-8 against Altoona in 2011 including a 5-6 mark in Altoona. Richmond is 26-31 all-time against the Curve and the club is 16-11 all-time at The Diamond. 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). Altoona took three of four from Richmond at Peoples Natural Gas Field (5/4-5/6). and two out of three against the Flying Squirrels in Altoona (5/29-5/31). Following this three-game series, the Flying Squirrels and the Curve will meet again in Altoona in late August (8/23-8/26).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Justin Fitzgerald vs. RHP Kyle McPherson Fitzgerald: Makes his twentieth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Fitzgerald allowed four hits and along with one walks and matched his season-high eight strikeouts in six innings pitched at Harrisburg in game one of a doubleheader Friday. He earned his fifth win in Richmond's 4-0 triumph. Tonight's game will be Fitzgerald's ninth career start against Altoona.

He is 2-3 with a 5.18 ERA against the Curve. Fitzgerald is currently fifth in the Eastern League in innings pitched (107.0). 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 27-23 record with a 3.63 ERA in 128 career minor league appearances, including 71 starts. The Santa Rosa, Calif. native was selected by the Giants in the 11th round of the 2008 June Draft out of UC-Davis.

McPherson: Makes his sixth start of the season tonight. In his last start, McPherson allowed eight hits and three earned runs along with one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched at Akron Friday. He took the loss in Altoona's 3-0 setback. Tonight's game will be his third career start against the Flying Squirrels. He is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA against Richmond. The right-hander has split the 2011 season between Advanced-A Bradenton and Altoona. In 12 starts with Bradenton, McPherson went 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA.

After his promotion to Altoona, McPherson went 8-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 16 starts. He was Pittsburgh's Minor League Pitcher-of-the- Year in 2011. McPherson has a career record of 36-30 with one save and a 3.52 ERA in 117 appearances, including 95 starts.

He was selected by Pittsburgh in the 14th round of the 2007 June Draft out of the University of Mobile (AL).

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: The Flying Squirrels scored eight runs on six hits and three walks in the bottom of the third in last night's win over Altoona. The offensive outburst is a new franchise record for most runs scored in an inning. Richmond's previous single-inning high for runs scored was seven, which the Flying Squirrels accomplished twice (9/2/10 at Erie, in the sixth inning) and in the seventh inning of last week's 12-3 win at Harrisburg on July 12. Richmond got RBI singles from Mark Minicozzi, Juan Perez and Mike Kickham and a three-run double from Daniel Mayora in the third inning last night.

ME GUSTA MAYORA: Daniel Mayora is enjoying a torrid stretch at the plate. He went 4-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in last night's win. The four hits matched a career-high, which he has accomplished many times, most recently at Harrisburg Saturday night. In his last nine games, Mayora is batting .594 (19-for-32) with a home run, nine doubles and nine runs scored.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: Mark Minicozzi has thrived at the plate through the first two games of this series. After last night's 2-for-3 performance, which included an RBI and a run scored, Minicozzi is 6-for-8 in the series and 13-for-33 (.394) in his last nine games.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 18, 2012


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