EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Portland

Published on June 10, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) (29-26) vs. Portland Sea Dogs (BOS) (23-35)

Wednesday, June 10th -- 6:35 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game #56 - Home Game #27

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

RHP Joe Biagini (4-3, 1.82) vs. RHP Luis Diaz (0-4, 7.03)

TONIGHT'S PRESS BOX FEED: There will be no Matt Cain feeding frenzy letdown today as Carytown Burgers & Fries is set to deliver some mouthwatering dishes. They do burgers... and fries.. both exceptionally well. For those who don't know, or don't venture outside the hallowed grounds of your office, Carytown Burgers and Fries is not just confined to Carytown anymore. They have opened a Northside location, just a few miles from the ballpark and have therefore increased the quality of life for those of us at The Diamond by a direct 7%. Enjoy.

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Squirrels took the first game of their three game series at home versus the Sea Dogs Tuesday night, 4-3. Matt Cain (MLB) made a rehab start and tossed 3.2 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, and threw 55 pitches as part of the Richmond win. This is Portland's only trip of the year to Richmond, and the three games in the set will represent the conclusion of the season-series between the two teams. In addition to the win Tuesday night, the Squirrels lead the season-series three games to one after also claiming a three-game set at Hadlock Field as part of their recently-completed trip. All four games between the two clubs have been decided by one run each and also all have finished with the same final score, 4-3. Richmond holds a 22-12 all-time advantage in the matchup as the two teams have met six times annually since the Squirrels' inception in 2010. The Squirrels are 7-1 in June after matching a franchise-record (Below) with 19 wins (19-11) in May. Remarkably, they are 26-9 since starting the season 3-17 and dropping 15 consecutive ballgames. The Squirrels are currently on a five game winning streak, one victory shy of tying the longest of the year. A win would mean Richmond has compiled a six game winning streak for the third time this year.

SAVING THE DAY: Squirrels closer Josh Osich is a busy man this month. The left-hander has appeared in six of Richmond's previous eight games. During this span, he's tossed 6 innings (one per outing). given up just 3 hits, 1 run, and 6 strikeouts. In his last two outings, he has not surrendered a baserunner, issuing three groundouts and three strikeouts. Osich also recorded his 15th save Tuesday night against Portland, which is good for the second most in the Eastern League.

AN HONOR FOR OROPESA: 1B Ricky Oropesa was named as the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of May. The award was announced by the league office on Friday afternoon. Oropesa batted .343 (37-108) during the month, notching 8 2Bs, 6 HRs and 25 RBIs. During the course of the month, the USC-product raised his batting average from .135 at the end of April to .275 at the close of May. The award is the first monthly award for Oropesa in his third year in the Eastern League.

ABOVE THE FOLD: Richmond climbed to three games above .500 (29-26) Tuesday night for the first time this season. Last year, April 14 was the first time time the team reached three games over .500 (7-4). The Squirrels are just one game back of Bowie for second place in the Western Division of the Eastern League.

APRIL SHOWERS BROUGHT MAY WINS: After suffering through the worst month in franchise-history, and posting a dismal record of 3-14 in April, the Squirrels matched the most successful month the franchise has ever had in the very next month. Richmond finished 19-11. Their19 wins equaled the franchise-record for wins in a month, which has now been accomplished three times. Last year, the Squirrels went 19-10 in June and followed that up with an 18-11 July to pull away in the Western Division. In 2011, the Squirrels used a 19-12 month of July to pull back into the playoff race. In each of those seasons, the Squirrels advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series.

WHO'S THE NEW GUY, AND WHERE DID JACK GO?: The Squirrels had quite a roster makeover during their recent 10-game road trip. A week ago today, LHP Jack Snodgrass finally received his first promotion to Triple-A Sacramento. Snodgrass left as the Squirrels all-time leader in wins (27). He was named Squirrels' Pitcher of the Year in each of the last two seasons. Snodgrass had a travel partner as RHP Chris Stratton also was promoted to Sacramento. Then on Wednesday, the Giants promoted OF Ryan Lollis as well. RHP Tyler Mizenko was reinstated from the Disabled List on Tuesday and OF Engel Beltre joined the team from Extended Spring Training on Wednesday. LHP Adalberto Mejia was added to the roster Thursday from Extended Spring Training, and RHP Tyler Beede was added from San Jose (A+) on Friday. To make room, RHP Joan Gregorio was placed on the Disabled List with Patella Tendonitis. The Squirrels made an additional roster move on their off day on Monday, placing INF Blake Miller on the Disabled List (Wrist). That opened a spot for 1B Angel Villalona to return from the Disabled List today (Bruised Thumb).

STRONG OPENING REMARKS: Richmond starting pitching was tremendous during the Squirrels' recent road trip, which was the longest in franchise history. Despite RHP Kyle Crick tossing just three innings on Saturday, Richmond starters threw 58.1 innings on the trip. They collectively allowed just 10 earned runs, while on three occasions a starting pitcher lasted at least seven innings. The starters compiled a record of 5-0 on the trip, while sporting an ERA of 1.54. Due to mid-trip promotions for LHP Jack Snodgrass and RHP Chris Stratton, the Squirrels used eight different starting pitchers on the trip. Only LHP Matt Lujan and RHP Kyle Crick started twice.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: (6/10) Middle Child Night (6/11) Fireworks!/Tribute to Meat presented by Your Local Ford Dealers (6/12) Free Shirt Fridays & Happy Hour presented by Village Bank/Boy Scout Sleepover (6/13) Fireworks!/Swim Team Jersey Auction presented by Towne Bank/Rayvon Owen Appearance (6/14) Kids Club Shovel & Pail Giveaway presented by Coca-Cola.

PORTLAND STARTING PITCHER: RHP Luis Diaz (0-4, 7.03)

Diaz, 23, was signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 17 in 2009. He spent his first two professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League before making his domestic debut in 2011 at the age of 19. He has made a steady progression through the system since, ascending to Portland for the first time for the second half of the 2014 season. All told, he made 26 starts - split evenly between Salem (A+) and Portland - in 2014, compiling a record of 9-7 and an ERA of 3.54. Diaz last took the mound against Richmond on June 3. He went 5.2 innings, gave up 7 hits, and allowed 3 runs. 2015 as a whole has not treated the Venezuelan-born righty well. He has allowed 17 ER over his 3 prior starts (12.1 IP), including conceding a season-high 8 ER in just 2.1 innings against Trenton on May 29.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 10, 2015


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