EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. New Britain

Published on June 22, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RHP Justin Fitzgerald (3-5, 4.32) vs. RHP B. J. Hermsen (4-3, 2.92)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (36-36) vs. New Britain Rock Cats (36-34)

Friday, June 22nd -- 7:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 73 - Home Game # 35

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will seek their third straight victory when they take on the New Britain Rock Cats in the opener of a four-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Gary Brown went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs and Juan Perez and Mark Minicozzi each had three-hit nights as Richmond defeated Trenton 7-2 at Waterfront Park. The win gave the Flying Squirrels a series victory in the three-game set and they clinched the season series over the Thunder, 4-3. Mike Kickham (5-5) allowed four hits and one earned run along with a season-high six walks and fi ve strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched en route to earning his fi fth win of the season. Trenton's Adam Miller (0-2) allowed ten hits and four earned runs along with two walks and a strikeout in 3.1 innings pitched and he was charged with the loss. The Flying Squirrels went 8-7 against New Britain in 2011 includ- ing a 4-4 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 19-15 all-time against the Rock Cats and the club is 11-6 all-time in the River City.

The two teams will meet 14 times in 2012, seven times in New Britain and seven times in Richmond. The Rock Cats claimed the opening series by winning three out of four games between the clubs at New Britain Stadium (4/5-4/7). Richmond won two out three from the Rock Cats at The Diamond (4/27-4/29).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Justin Fitzgerald vs. RHP B. J. Hermsen Fitzgerald: Makes his fi fteenth start for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Fitzgerald allowed fi ve hits and two earned runs along with three walks and six strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched against Portland June 15. He received a no-decision in Rich- mond's 4-2 setback. Tonight's game will be Fitzgerald's sixth career start against the Rock Cats. He is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA against New Britain. 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), fi nished 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 25-22 record with a 3.67 ERA in 123 career minor league appearances, including 66 starts. The Santa Rosa, Calif. native was selected by the Giants in the 11th round of the 2008 June Draft out of UC-Davis.

Hermsen: Makes his fourteenth start of the season and his tenth start for New Britain tonight. Hermsen opened the season with Advanced-A Fort Myers, where he went 1-0 with a 0.78 ERA in four starts. Since being promoted to New Britain, Hermsen has posted an 4-3 record with a 2.92 ERA in nine starts. In his last start, Hermsen allowed seven hits and four earned runs along with one walks and one strikeout in six innings pitched at Erie Saturday. He took the loss in New Britains's 4-1 setback. Tonight's game will be his fi rst career start against the Flying Squirrels. He boasts a career record of 30-21 with a 3.16 ERA in 69 appearances, including 66 starts. He was selected by the Twins in the sixth round of the 2008 June Draft outo of West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?: Gary Brown has started to swing the bat well. In last night's 7-2 victory at Trenton, Brown went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs. It was his fi fth consecutive game with a base hit, with multiple hits in three of those fi ve contests. In his last 10 games, Brown is batting .300 (15-for-50) and he currently ranks third in the Eastern League in stolen bases with 19.

ROCK, CHALK...: Richmond reliever Brett Bochy continues to thrive in his fi rst season at the Double-A level. Bochy, a former Kansas Jayhawk, is now 5-2 with a team-high eight saves in 11 chances and a 1.62 ERA after skipping over Advanced-A San Jose.

Bochy worked 18 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season, which spanned his fi rst 11 appearances. Eastern League batters are now hitting a paltry .147 (16-for-109) against Bochy this season. THE REAL DON JUAN: After going 3-for-5 with an RBI in last night's win at Trenton, Juan Perez is now hitting .333 in his last ten games (14-for-42) with four doubles, two RBIs and four runs scored. Perez delivered a walk-off RBI single against Portland on Sunday afternoon to lift Richmond to a 5-4 triumph in 10 innings and a series victory in the three-game set.

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