EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Bowie

Published on May 1, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (12-12) vs. Bowie Baysox (9-15)

Tuesday, May 1st -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 25 - Home Game # 12

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

LHP Mike Kickham (1-1, 2.55) vs. RHP Zach Clark (1-1, 5.96)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will attempt to climb above the .500 mark and earn their second straight win when they take on the Bowie Baysox in game two of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Tommy Joseph went 3-for-4, belted two home runs and drove in three runs and Chris Heston yielded just three hits and one earned run through 5.2 innings as the Flying Squirrels topped Bowie 4-2 in the series opener. It was the fifth multi-HR game for Joseph in his young career and the first since September 3, 2011 when he turned the trick against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Tom Vessella and Daryl Maday appeared in relief of Heston and helped seal the victory. Maday earned his fifth save of the season, which ties him with Reading's Justin Friend and New Hampshire's Ronald Uviedo for the Eastern League lead. The Flying Squirrels went 9-16 against Bowie in 2011 including a 6-6 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 27-30 all-time against Bowie and the club is 15-12 all-time in the River City. The two teams will meet 24 times in 2012, 10 times in Bowie and 14 times in Richmond. Richmond won two out of three games between the two clubs in Bowie April 9-11. Following this three-game series, the two teams will meet again at The Diamond May 10 through May 14.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Mike Kickham vs. RHP Zach Clark Kickham: Makes his fifth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Kickham scattered six hits and allowed just one earned run along with two walks and two strikeouts in fi ve innings pitched at Reading Thursday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 2-1 triumph. Tonight's game will be his second career appearance against Bowie. He allowed one hit and one unearned run along with four walks and five strikeouts and received a no-decision against the Baysox in Bowie on April 9. 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 6-11 record with a 4.12 ERA in 27 career minor league appearances, including 24 starts. Kickham enjoyed a successful, albeit brief, career at Missouri State University, where he finished fi fth 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. Louis, 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 for a $410,000 bonus.

Clark: Makes his fifth start of the season tonight. In his last start, Clark allowed a six hits and three earned runs, three along with two walks and a season-high six strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched against Akron Wednesday. He received a no-decision in Bowie's 5-4 setback. The right-hander spent the entire 2011 season with Bowie. In 24 appearances, including 23 starts, Clark posted a 10-9 record with a 5.00 ERA. He was named Eastern league Pitcher-of-the Week for the week of April 25 through May 2, 2011. He split the 2010 campaign between four Baltimore affiliates, Low-A Delmarva, Advanced-A Frederick, Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. In 30 combined appearances, including 15 starts, Clark compiled a 3-9 record with one save and a 4.29 ERA. In 147 career minor league appearances, including 94 starts, Clark owns a 35-38 record with three saves and a 3.98 ERA. He was signed by the Orioles as a non-drafted free agent on May 26, 2006 out of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

JOLTIN' JOSEPH: Last night's two home run performance was the fifth game of Tommy Joseph's young career in which he has slugged two home runs in a game. Prior to last night, Joseph's most recent two home run game came on September 3, 2011 when he clubbed two home runs against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League. In his last 10 games, Joseph is hitting .308 (12-for-39) with three home runs and five RBIs.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU: Although he is hitting just. 227 for the season, Flying Squirrels center fi elder Gary Brown is continues to improve at the plate. Last night, Brown went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, a walk and a run scored. In the first three games of the home stand against New Britain, Brown batted .286 (4-14) with a double and four RBIs. Brown is batting .250 (10-for-40) and has driven in 10 of his 12 RBIs in his last 10 games.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: Right-hander Chris Heston recorded a season-high eight strikeouts in last night's win over Bowie. In his last two starts, Heston has struck out a combined 15 batters and he now boasts a 7.58 strikeouts per nine innings pitched rate.

Heston's single-game career-high in strikeouts is 9, which he has accomplished twice, most recently at Lake Elsinore on 8/15/11.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Flying Squirrels will look to continue their winning ways at The Diamond as they continue their home stand tonight. Richmond is 7-4 at The Diamond this season and has posted winning records in the River City in both 2010 (37-33) and 2011 (45-26). The Flying Squirrels boast an all-time record of 89-63 (.586) at The Diamond.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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