EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. New Hampshire

Published on June 14, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (31-34) vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-41)

Thursday, June 14th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 66 - Home Game # 31

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

LHP Mike Kickham (4-5, 3.12) vs. RHP Chad Jenkins (2-6, 6.35)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will seek their fourth straight win and a series sweep when they take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the finale of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, Juan Ciriaco delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Richmond a 6-5 walk-off win over New Hampshire at The Diamond. Ciriaco's game-winning hit completed a wild ballgame, which saw the lead change hands three times in the final four frames. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth, the Flying Squirrels scored three runs -two of which came on Ryan Cavan's two-run home run - and seemed poise to close out a 3-2 win. But the Fisher Cats scored a run in the top of the ninth to send the contest to extra innings. After Ryan Goins ripped a two-run double in the top of the 11th, the momentum swung toward the Fisher Cats. Richmond rallied for three runs on four hits and an error, culminating in Ciriaco's game-winning hit. Tom Vessella (2-0) earned the win in relief after working three innings for Richmond and Fernando Hernandez took the loss. The Flying Squirrels went 2-4 against New Hampshire in 2011 including an 0-3 mark in the River City. Richmond is 6-9 all-time against the Fisher Cats, including the 2011 ELCS, which New Hampshire won in four games. Richmond is 1-6 all-time against New Hampshire at The Diamond, including the 2011 ELCS. The two teams will meet six times in 2012, three times in Manchester and three times in Richmond. The Flying Squirrels took two out of three from the Fisher Cats in Manchester last week.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Mike Kickham vs. RHP Chad Jenkins Kickham: Makes his thirteenth start for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Kickham allowed four hits and one earned run along with two walks and six strikeouts in six innings pitched at Portland Friday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 4-1 setback.

Tonight's game will be Kickham's first career start against the Fisher Cats. Kickham is currently fourth in the Eastern League in walks (32). 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 an 9-15 record with a 3.88 ERA in 36 career minor league appearances, including 33 starts. Kickham enjoyed a successful, albeit brief, career at Missouri State University, where he finished fifth 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.

Jenkins: Makes his eleventh start of the season for the Fisher Cats tonight. In his last start, Jenkins allowed a season-high ten hits and four earned runs along with a walk and a strikeout in four innings pitched against Bowie Saturday. He took the loss in New Hampshire's 7-3 setback. Jenkins split the 2011 season between the Advanced-A Dunedin and New Hampshire. He posted a combined record of 9-12 with a 3.70 ERA in 27 starts, including a 5-7 mark with a 4.13 ERA in 16 starts with the Fisher Cats. Tonight's game will be his fourth career start against Richmond, including one start in the 2011 Eastern League Championship Series. Jenkins is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA against the Flying Squirrels. He has a career minor league record of 18-28 with a 4.17 ERA in 63 appearances, all of which have been starts. Jenkins was selected by Toronto in the first round of the 2009 June Draft out of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Last night's ballgame was Richmond's seventh extra-innings contest this season, the second-most in the Eastern League this season behind Trenton and New Hampshire, which have each participated in eight extra-innings games. The Flying Squirrels improved to 5-2 on the season in extra-innings games with their 6-5 victory in 11 frames. Richmond's five wins rank second in the circuit behind Trenton, which boasts a 6-2 record in extra-innings games. Meanwhile, the Fisher Cats fell to 2-6 in extra frames this season. New Hampshire's six losses in extra innings contests are the most in the Eastern League this season.

ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER: Richmond's 6-5 win last night was the 24th one-run contest in which the Flying Squirrels have participated in this season. On June 6, The Flying Squirrels are now 14-10 (.583) in one-run ballgames in 2012. Richmond's 14 wins are tied with Trenton for the second-most in the Eastern League, trailing only Akron's 15 one-run victories.

DYNAMIC DUO: Middle infielders Ehire Adrianza and Ryan Cavan have provided a strong defensive presence in Richmond's infield. Adrianza leads the Eastern League in fielding percentage for shortstops (.981) and has committed just five errors in 270 chances. Cavan leads all second basemen in the circuit in fielding percentage (.997) and he has committed just one error in 350 chances. Together, they have helped Richmond lead the circuit in double plays with 74.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 14, 2012


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