EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes Vs. Reading

Published on April 18, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (6-7) vs. Reading Phillies (10-3)

Wednesday, April 18th -- 10:35 AM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 14 - Home Game # 7

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (10:05 AM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

RHP Chris Heston (0-1, 1.64) vs. RHP David Buchanan (1-0, 2.08)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will look to avoid getting swept for the first time this season in the finale of a three-game series against the Reading Phillies at The Diamond today. Last night, the R-Phils pounded out 22 hits, highlighted by a 5-for-5 night from Darin Ruf, in which he drove in two runs and finished a triple short of the cycle. The end result was a 19-6 Reading victory, the most lopsided defeat that Richmond has ever suffered. Trevor May (3-0), the top prospect in the Phillies organization, limited Richmond to four hits and one earned run in five innings pitched to earn the win for Reading. Jason Stevenson (1-2) gave up 10 hits and eight earned runs in four innings pitched and took the loss for Richmond. The Flying Squirrels went 5-5 against Reading in 2011 including a 2-1 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 13-19 all-time against the R-Phils and the club is 7-8 all-time in the River City. The two teams will meet 16 times in 2012, 7 times in Reading and 9 times in Richmond. Following this three-game series on the opening home stand, the R-Phils will not return to Richmond until July 7th-9th. The next meeting between the two teams will be April 24th-26th at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Chris Heston vs. RHP David Buchanan Heston: Makes his third start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Heston allowed four hits and three runs, two of which were earned, along with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings pitched against Altoona Friday. He took the loss in Richmond's 6-0 setback. He currently ranks t-7th in the Eastern League in ERA (1.64). Last season, Heston went 12-4 and posted a 3.16 ERA, which led the California League, in 24 starts. with Advanced-A San Jose. His 12 wins tied him for second in the circuit behind current Squirrels teammate Craig Westcott. As a result, the 23-year-old right-hander was named a California League Mid-Season All-Star. Heston's success in San Jose came on the heels of a middling season with Low-A Augusta, in which he compiled a 5-13 mark with a 3.75 ERA in 26 starts in 2010. Heston owns an 18-23 record with a 3.46 ERA in 63 career minor league appearances, including 58 starts. The Palm Bay, Fla. native was originally selected by Minnesota in the 47th round of the 2007 June Draft, but he did not sign. He also did not sign after being picked by Washington in the 29th round of the 2008 June Draft. He signed with San Francisco after the Giants selected him in the 12th round of the 2009 June Draft.

Buchanan: Makes his third start of the season tonight. In his last start, Buchanan allowed seven hits and three earned runs with no walks and two strikeouts in six innings pitched at Harrisburg Friday. He took a no-decision in Reading's 6-3 setback. The right-hander split the 2011 campaign between Low-A Lakewood and Advanced-A Clearwater. In 26 starts between the two clubs, he went 14-7 with a 3.49 ERA. Buchanan posted an 11-5 mark with a 3.38 ERA in 20 starts with Lakewood before his promotion to Clearwater. He ranked 3rd in the South Atlantic League in wins (11) and seventh in ERA (3.38). As a result, he was named a mid-Season All-Star in the Sally League. He went 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA in six starts with Clearwater. In 41 career minor league appearances, all starts, Buchanan owns an 18-8 record with a 3.60 ERA. Buchanan was selected by the Phillies in seventh round of the 2010 June Draft out of Georgia State University and is the earliest draft choice in school history.

SALVAGE YARD: The Flying Squirrels are trying to avoid being swept in the three-game series with the Reading Phillies. Richmond was swept three times in 2011, but just once at home (8/2-8/4 against New Hampshire). Overall, the Flying Squirrels have been swept seven times in franchise history and three times at The Diamond. The club avoided a four-game series sweep with a 3-1 win in the finale against New Britain 4/7. Meanwhile, the R-Phils have already swept one opponent this season, taking every game of a four-game series to open the year against the Portland Sea Dogs.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: The Flying Squirrels record books were rewritten by the Reading Phillies last night in the R-Phils' 19-6 win over Richmond. The Squirrels allowed franchise records in runs (19) and hits (22). The 10 runs allowed by the club in the top of the sixth inning were also a franchise record as was the 15 batters faced in the inning. The 13-run loss was the worst defeat the team has suffered in franchise history.

WALK LIKE A MAN: Even though he is batting just .182 (8-for-44) through his first 13 games this season, shortstop Ehire Adrianza has walked nine times. As a matter of fact, he has more walks than hits (8) and has reached base safely in 11 of the 13 games he has played. His nine walks drawn are third-most in the Eastern League, one behind Tim Fedroff and Brock Holt for the league lead.

MORE MAYORA: After going 1-for-3 with a run and a walk last night, Daniel Mayora has hit safely in seven of his last nine games. Mayora has five multi-hit games of the season, which ranks second on the club behind Chris Dominguez, who has six multi-hit games. In his first season in the Giants organization, the veteran third baseman is hitting .350 with six RBIs in seven games.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from April 18, 2012


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