EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Reading

Published on July 8, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (42-46) vs. Reading Phillies (47-40)

Sunday, July 8th -- 5:05 PM

The Diamond -- Richmond, VA

Game # 89 - Home Game # 43

Radio: Sports Radio 910 AM (4:35 PM) Internet: sportsradio910.com

LHP Chris Gloor (1-1, 2.36) vs. RHP Jordan Whatcott (1-2, 4.19)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will aim for their second straight win when they take on the Reading Phillies in game two of a three-game series at The Diamond tonight. Last night, the Flying Squirrels got a spectacular start from right-hander Justin Fitzgerald, who allowed one earned run in eight innings pitched and a big night at the plate from Joel Weeks, who went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, in a 6-1 victory over the R-Phils in the series opener. Russ Mitchell went 2-for-4 and belted his first home run since joining Richmond last month and Gary Brown continued to thrive at the plate with a 2-for-5 night, including his 21st double of the season. Reading starter Jonathan Pettibone (7-6) took the loss after allowing nine hits and six earned runs in five innings pitched. The Flying Squirrels went 5-5 against Reading in 2011 including a 2-1 mark at The Diamond. Richmond is 17-24 all-time against the R-Phils and the club is 8-6 all-time in the River City. The two teams will meet 16 times in 2012, 7 times in Reading and 9 times in Richmond. The R-Phils claimed the opening series by winning two out of three games between the clubs at The Diamond last week (4/16-4/18). Reading also took two out of three from Richmond at FirstEnergy Stadium (4/24-4/26) and three out of four in Reading (6/26-6/29). Following this series, the two teams will meet again for a three-game set in the River City (7/31-8/2).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: LHP Chris Gloor vs. RHP Jordan Whatcott Gloor: Makes his twenty-second appearance and third start for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Gloor allowed three hits and one unearned run along with three walks and a career-high six strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched at Akron Tuesday. He received a no-decision in Richmond's 7-5 triumph. Tonight's game will be Gloor's third career appearance and second start against Reading. He is 0-0 with an 8.44 ERA against the R-Phils. Earlier this season, Gloor tossed 19.2 scoreless innings (May 1 through June 15), the longest scoreless innings streak by a Squirrels pitcher in 2012. Last season, Gloor pitched for three different Giants affiliates, Advanced-A San Jose, the Rookie-Ball AZL Giants and Short-Season A Salem-Keizer. He posted a combined record of 3-1 with one save and a 3.34 ERA in 18 appearances. Gloor owns a 15-5 record with three saves a 2.68 ERA in 100 career minor league appearances, including nine starts. The Bay Shore, NY. native was selected by the Giants in the 17th round of the 2009 June Draft out of Quinnipiac University.

Whatcott: Makes his twenty-seventh appearance and his sixth start of the season tonight. Whatcott opened the season with Advanced-A Clearwater, where he went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six relief appearances. Since his promotion to Reading, Whatcott has posted a 1-2 record with a 4.19 ERA in 20 appearances, including five starts. In his last start, Whatcott allowed a season-high nine hits and a season-high eight runs, seven of which were earned, along with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings pitched against New Hampshire Tuesday. He took the loss in Reading's 14-2 setback. The right-hander spent the entire 2011 campaign with Clearwater, where he posted a 4-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in 45 appearances. Tonight's game will be his second start against the Flying Squirrels. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA against Richmond. Whatcott boasts a career record of 9-3 with 14 saves and a 3.61 ERA in 89 appearances, including five starts. He was signed by Philadelphia as a non-drafted free agent in 2010.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Russ Mitchell enjoyed a 2-for-4 night at the plate last night with a home run, a double and an RBI.

The Georgia native is batting .333 (8-for-24) with a home run, three doubles and four RBIs in his last eight games. Since he made his Flying Squirrels debut on June 7, Mitchell is batting .277 with one home run and nine RBIs for Richmond.

JOLTIN' JOEL: Richmond utility man Joel Weeks has made the most of his limited playing time lately. Weeks, who has seen playing time at catcher, first base, shortstop, third base second base and even had a brief stint on the mound in one relief appearance, went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored last night. The three hits matched his career-high, which he has accomplished numerous times, including against Bowie on May 3. In his last four games, Weeks is batting .462 (6-for-13) with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?: Gary Brown continues to produce at the plate. After going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI last night, Brown, who recently had a team-high 12-game hitting streak, has now hit safely in 19 of his last 20 games. He has reached base in 24 consecutive games, the longest on-base streak for a Flying Squirrel batter in 2012. During this stretch, Brown is batting .398 (35-for-88) with two home runs, a triple, twelve doubles, 11 RBIs and 17 runs. Additionally, he is 6-for-8 in stolen base attempts during this period and has raised his overall average from .236 on June 15 to .276 as of today. With two hits last night, Brown now has 30 multi-hit games this season, a team-high for Richmond.

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