EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Harrisburg

May 26, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (18-23) vs. Harrisburg Senators (WAS) (20-23)

Tuesday, May 26th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game #42 - Home Game #23

Radio: Fox Sports 910 (6:00 PM) Internet: FoxSportsRichmond.com

LHP Matt Lujan (1-4, 5.59) vs. RHP Dakota Bacus (1-0, 3.00)

LOGOMANIA/PRESS BOX FEED: As you settle back into your post-holiday routines today, the Squirrels are here to ease your burden, as with the aid of Dave & Buster's, the team will be taking the work out of dinner for you tonight. However, as my mother taught me, there's no such thing in life as a free-ride. So, in return, we ask for your help in spreading the word about the Squirrels advancing to the finals of Baseball America's Logomania contest, which is crowning a top logo in Milb based upon fan voting. In all sincerity, it is a very cool deal, and would be a great honor for the team, and the RVA as a whole. The voting link is listed below. Thanks in advance for your help!

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Harrisburg Senators hit town for what will be the first series of the season between the two Western Division rivals. Richmond rode the longest career Double-A outing from RHP Kyle Crick to a, 6-1, Memorial Day victory over Bowie that allowed the Squirrels to take the series. The Squirrels have captured five of their last six series. The Senators arrive in the River City sitting third in the Western Division standings, a game ahead of the Squirrels at a record of 20-23. The Squirrels own a 46-35 advantage in the all-time series which dates back to 2010. The Squirrels dominated the season-series in 2014, posting a record of 12-5 against the Senators. The two teams will get very familiar with one another over the course of the summer as they will face each other 20 times. This is the first of three trips to RVA for Harrisburg. The Senators will return to the Boulevard for three games (7/7-7/9) and a four-game set in August (8/24-8/26). The Squirrels will make three trips to City Island on the year (6/16-6/18, 6/30-7/3, 8/31-9/3). LHP Matt Lujan, who was pushed back a day in the rotation, will make his eighth start of the season tonight against RHP Dakota Bacus, who will make just his second Double-A start this evening.

AN ALTERNATING PATH TO THE MIDDLE: The Squirrels were the streakiest team in baseball early in the season, dropping a historic 15 straight games before righting the ship and claiming their next six straight and 10 of 12 overall. However, as is the case generally in baseball, things have started to level off for Richmond. The Squirrels' win on Monday marked the first time in the last 10 games that Richmond had either won or lost two straight games. Prior to the mini two-game streak, the Squirrels had alternated wins and losses for eight games.

WALK THIS WAY...OR DON'T, IT'S UP TO YOU: The Squirrels carry the lowest on-base percentage in the Eastern League at a mark of .307. A large reason for that mark is the fact that the Squirrels have taken the fewest walks in the circuit (107). OF Daniel Carbonell has walked just four times while logging 137 at-bats. 1B Ricky Oropesa has walked just twice while totaling 139 at-bats. 3B Mitch Delfino leads the team, having drawn 15 walks, while four other players have each walked 14 times.

BIG MAC AND THE MAYFLOWERS: OF Mac Williamson is feasting in the month of May. The #11 prospect in the San Francisco chain has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games, beginning on May 1st. He is batting a robust .370 in the month (34-92), while blasting three home runs, eight 2Bs and driving in 20 runs. Meanwhile, the Squirrels as a whole have posted the highest team average in the month of May (.279 - 232-831). Richmond hit a league-worst .209 (121-579) during the month of April. Williamson currently rides a team-high 14-game hit-streak.

RRRRANDO!: It has become difficult to ignore what INF Rando Moreno has been able to do at the plate this year. Moreno currently rides a season-high 13-game on-base streak which dates back to 5/11. He leads the team in batting average (.337) and put together his third three-hit game on Monday. He and Kelby Tomlinson share the team-lead in OBP (.380) He is also third on the club in runs scored (20) despite the fact that he has appeared in only 28 of the Squirrels 41 games thus far.

PICK ME OUT A WINNER BOBBY: After a stretch of 10 consecutive games with the designated hitter in play, the Squirrels begin a stretch tonight of seven straight games against National League affiliates (No DH) (Harrisburg, Reading). Richmond played 21 of their first 31 games against National League affiliates, posting a 7-14 record in those games. Thus far on the year, Squirrels' hurlers are a combined 5-for-36 (.139) at the plate. LHP Matt Lujan, who throws tonight, has three of those five hits.

LOGOMANIA BABY!: The Squirrels have advanced to the final round of Baseball America's Minor League Logomania contest that is determining the top logo in Milb based upon fan voting. Richmond toppled the Triple-A Toledo MudHens in the semifinals, and are now matched with the newly-minted Biloxi Shuckers of the Double-A Eastern League. To place a vote for the Squirrels, visit http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-logomania-finals/

HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (5/26) Military Card Set Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans - All Ages) (5/27) Organ Donor Night (5/28) FIREWORKS & Mustache Night presented by your local Ford Dealer, Teacher Appreciation Night presented by AXA Advisors.

HARRISBURG STARTING PITCHER: RHP Dakota Bacus (1-0, 3.00)

Bacus, 24, was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 9th round of the 2012 draft out of Indiana State University. He was traded by the A's to the Nationals for C Kurt Suzuki in August of 2013. He spent all of the 2014 season at Advanced-A Potomac in the Washington system and posted a record of 7-6 and ERA of 4.41 across 27 appearances - 20 starts. He opened 2015 back in the Carolina League, but earned a promotion to Harrisburg after compiling a 2-0 record and 2.33 ERA in eight outings - five starts. He will be making his second career Double-A appearance tonight. He threw well in his first outing, limiting Binghamton to two earned runs on five hits across six innings to earn the win.

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