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EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Erie

June 1, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (25-29) vs. Erie SeaWolves (25-27)

Friday, June 1st -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 55 - Home Game # 26

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

RHP Chris Heston (5-2, 0.70) vs. LHP Jared Wesson (4-2, 5.56)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will look to get back on the winning track when they take on the Erie SeaWolves in the opener of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Richmond lost 5-4 in 11 innings to Altoona in the finale of a three-game set at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Tommy Joseph went 4-for-5 with two doubles and Gary Brown added two hits, including his first Double-A home run for the Flying Squirrels. After starter Andy Reichard allowed four runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings pitched, the duo of Daryl Maday and Tom Vessella combined to toss five innings of scoreless relief for Richmond. Vessella worked 3.2 innings, which equals the longest stint by a Richmond reliever all season and he struck out six batters, the most for an Richmond reliever in 2012. After tying the game at 4-4 with a run in the top of the eighth inning, Richmond failed to score in the final three frames. Altoona scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th when Robbie Grossman delivered an RBI single off Flying Squirrels reliever Austin Fleet. The Flying Squirrels went 8-2 against Erie in 2011 including a 6-1 mark at The Diamond.

Richmond is 16-8 all-time against the SeaWolves and the club is 7-4 all-time against Erie in the River City. The two teams will meet seven times in 2012, four times in Erie and three times in Richmond. Following this three-game series, the Flying Squirrels and the SeaWolves will meet again in Erie in late July (7/26-7/29).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Chris Heston vs. LHP Jared Wesson Heston: Makes his eleventh start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Heston allowed six hits and one earned run and he established a new career-high with 11 strikeouts along with four walks in six innings pitched against Trenton Sunday. He earned his fifth win of the season in Richmond's 5-2 triumph. Tonight's game will be Heston's first career start against the SeaWolves. Heston currently leads the Eastern League in ERA (0.70) and WHIP (0.91). Additionally, he ranks second in opponents' batting average (.194) and strikeouts (59) and he is fourth in the circuit in innings pitched (64.2). Last season, Heston went 12-4 and posted a 3.16 ERA, which led the California League, in 24 starts. with Advanced-A San Jose. His 12 wins tied him for second in the circuit behind current Squirrels teammate Craig Westcott. As a result, the 24-year-old right-hander was named a California League Mid-Season All-Star. Heston's success in San Jose came on the heels of a middling season with Low-A Augusta, in which he compiled a 5-13 mark with a 3.75 ERA in 26 starts in 2010. Heston owns a 23-24 record with a 3.07 ERA in 71 career minor league appearances, including 66 starts. The Palm Bay, Fla. native was originally selected by Minnesota in the 47th round of the 2007 June Draft, but he did not sign. He also did not sign after being picked by Washington in the 29th round of the 2008 June Draft. He signed with San Francisco after the Giants selected him in the 12th round of the 2009 June Draft out of East Carolina University.

Wesson: Makes his tenth start of the season tonight for Erie. In his last start, Wesson allowed six hits and four earned runs along with a walk and three strikeouts in six innings pitched against Reading May 22. He received a no-decision in Erie's 8-7 triumph.

The right-hander spent the entire 2011 season with Advanced-A Lakeland, where he went 15-10 with a 4.27 ERA in 27 starts. He finished second in the Florida State League in wins (15) and ranked fourth in the circuit in walks (66). In 2010, Wesson posted a 7-2 record with a 3.44 ERA in 9 appearances, including 15 starts, with Low-A West Michigan. Tonight's game will be his first career start against Richmond. Wesson has a career record of 27-16 with a 4.36 ERA in 60 appearances, including 56 starts. Originally selected by the Marlins in the 29th round of the 2005 June Draft, Wesson did not sign. He signed with the Tigers as a non-drafted free agent on December 8, 2009 out of Mississippi State University.

RAGIN' CAJUN: Last night, Flying Squirrels starter Craig Westcott won his second consecutive and improved to 5-4 on the season. Westcott allowed four earned runs on six hits in 5.1 innings pitched. The Chalmette, LA native is now 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA (12 ER/31.2 IP) in his last five starts. Westcott also went 1-for-2 with an RBI and strikeout at the plate last night. For the season, Westcott is now batting .364 (4-for-11) with one home run and three RBIs.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Last night's 11th-inning loss was just the second extra-innings defeat for Richmond this season. The Flying Squirrels are now 4-2 in extra-innings games. The four wins are tied with Akron for the most extra-innings victories in the Eastern League this season.

TORRID TOM: Flying Squirrels reliever Tom Vessella has pitched very well of late. In last night's game, Vessella worked a season-high 3.2 innings and struck out six batters, the most in a single outing by a Flying Squirrels reliever in 2012. Vessella has allowed just one earned run in his last five appearances (9.2 innings pitched). He has pitched 6.2 consecutive scoreless frames in his last two outings and has not allowed a hit during that stretch.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics



Eastern League Stories from June 1, 2012


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