EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Harrisburg

Published on May 27, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (19-23) vs. Harrisburg Senators (WAS) (20-24)

Wednesday, May 27th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game #43 - Home Game #24

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

RHP Joe Biagini (2-3, 1.76) vs. LHP Richard Bleier (3-0, 2.58)

TONIGHT'S PRESS BOX FEED: There is anticipation, and then there is that feeling you have on Christmas Eve when you can't fall asleep as you wait to discover all the wonderful things that await you in the morning. That is the feeling we have today, as Carytown Burgers & Fries makes their first appearance for a night game during the 2015 season. While I have previously relayed my love of all things breakfast sandwiches, I can barely contain my excitement for Carytown to deliver their bread and butter as it were. Care to join me in that excitement?

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels used a five-run third inning to grab the series-opener and first meeting of the season from the Senators, 6-3. OF Devin Harris supplied the biggest blow in the ballgame, a three-run home run off of RHP Dakota Bacas. The Squirrels have won five of their last six series and with their win on Tuesday pulled into a third-place tie with the Senators. The Squirrels own a 48-35 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 another three-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). RHP Joe Biagini makes his eighth start of the season, and first career start against Harrisburg, tonight for the Squirrels. He is pitted against LHP Richard Bleier, who makes his second career appearance against Richmond.

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 had started to level off for Richmond. Until recently that is. Richmond has put together another three-game win-streak, which they carry into tonight. Prior to the mini-streak, the Squirrels had alternated wins and losses for eight straight 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 .309. A large reason for that mark is the fact that the Squirrels have taken the fewest walks in the circuit (111). OF Daniel Carbonell has walked just four times while logging 141 at-bats. 1B Ricky Oropesa has walked just three times while totaling 142 at-bats. 3B Mitch Delfino and INF Kelby Tomlinson share the team-lead, having each drawn 15 walks. Three 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 24 games, beginning on May 1st. He is batting a robust .357 in the month (34-95), while blasting three home runs, eight 2Bs and driving in 20 runs. Meanwhile, the Squirrels as a whole have posted the EL's highest team average in the month of May (.280 - 242-863). Richmond hit a league-worst .209 (121-579) during the month of April. Williamson currently rides a team-high 15-game on-base streak. Richmond has also now pulled ahead of three clubs (Akron, New Britain, Harrisburg) in terms of overall team average. The Squirrels are batting .252 (363-1442) as a club overall.

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 14-game on-base streak, which dates back to 5/11. He leads the team in batting average (.330) and put together his third three-hit game on Monday. He sits second behind only INF Kelby Tomlinson in OBP (.371) and is also third on the club in runs scored (21) despite the fact that he has appeared in only 29 of the Squirrels 42 games thus far.

PICK ME OUT A WINNER BOBBY: After a stretch of 10 consecutive games with the designated hitter in play, the Squirrels are now in a stretch of seven straight games against National League affiliates (No DH) (Harrisburg, Reading). Richmond has played 22 games against National League affiliates, posting an 8-14 record in those games. Thus far on the year, Squirrels' hurlers are a combined 5-for-37 (.135) at the plate.

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 Southern League. To place a vote for the Squirrels, visit http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-logomania-finals/.

HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (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: LHP Richard Bleier (3-0, 2.58)

Bleier, 28, was originally a 6th round selection of the Texas Rangers out of Gulf Coast University in the 2008 MLB draft. He spent the first six seasons of his professional career in the Rangers organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Round Rock. He spent last year in the Toronto chain, spending the bulk of his year with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He signed as a minor league free agent with the Nationals prior to the 2015 season. He has made five appearances - four starts - with the Senators this season and has been very strong of late. He has allowed just three earned runs combined over his last three starts (21.0 IP), winning all three. He made four additional appearances - three starts - for Syracuse (AAA), and also pitched well in the International League (1-1, 2.93). All told the lefty has made 155 Double-A appearances over the last five seasons.

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Eastern League Stories from May 27, 2015


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