EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Flying Squirrels Games Notes vs. Reading

Published on April 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Richmond Flying Squirrels (8-10) vs. Reading Phillies (12-5)

Tuesday, April 24th -- 6:35 PM

FirstEnergy Stadium -- Reading, PA

Game # 19 - Road Game # 12

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

RHP Chris Heston (1-1, 1.59) vs. RHP Trevor May (3-0, 3.18)

SERIES AT A GLANCE: The Flying Squirrels will attempt to snap their two-game slide and work back towards the .500 mark when they take on the Reading Phillies in game two of a three-game series at FirstEnergy Stadium tonight. Last night, the Flying Squirrels were shutout 6-0 by the R-Phils. Reading starter Tyler Cloyd tossed seven scoreless innings and limited Richmond to just five hits. He also racked up five strikeouts and did not issue any walks. Meanwhile, Darin Ruf belted a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning and Reading added a run in the fifth and four runs off Flying Squirrels relievers Jake Dunning and Edwin Quirarte in the seventh to seal the victory. The Flying Squirrels went 5-5 against Reading in 2011 including a 3-4 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium. Richmond is 14-20 all-time against the R-Phils and the club is 5-12 all-time in Reading. 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).

TODAY'S PITCHERS: RHP Chris Heston vs. RHP Trevor May Heston: Makes his fourth start of the season for the Flying Squirrels tonight. In his last start, Heston allowed four hits and one earned run along with a walk and four strikeouts in six innings pitched against Reading on April 18. He earned the win in Richmond's 2-1 triumph, which helped the Squirrels win the finale of the three-game series with the R-Phils and avoid a sweep. He currently ranks t-7th in the Eastern League in ERA (1.59) and fourth in opponents' average (.161) and WHIP (0.88). 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 24-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 a 19-23 record with a 3.43 ERA in 64 career minor league appearances, including 59 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.

May: Makes his fourth start of the season tonight. In his last start, May allowed four hits, one earned run and two walks while posting seven strikeouts in five innings pitched at Richmond April 17. He earned the win in Reading's 19-6 victory. He entered the 2012 campaign ranked as the top prospect in the Philadelphia organization by Baseball America and currently is tied for the Eastern League lead in wins (3). The right-hander spent the entire 2011 campaign with Advanced-A Clearwater. In 27 starts, he went 10-8 with a 3.63 ERA. May led the Florida State League in strikeouts (208), ranked second in complete games (3), finished third in innings pitched (151.1) and eighth in ERA (3.63). As a result, he was selected as both a Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star and twice earned FSL Pitcher-of-the-Week honors (6/20-6/27 and 7/4-7/11). May also won the Paul Owens Award as the top pitcher in Philadelphia's minor league system in 2011. In 77 career minor league appearances, including 72 starts, May owns a 30-18 record with a 3.53 ERA. May was selected by the Phillies in fourth round of the 2008 June Draft out of Kelso (WA) HS and signed for a $375,000 bonus.

ME GUSTA MAYORA: After going 2-for-4 with a double Tuesday night, Daniel Mayora has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games and he is currently sporting a nine-game hitting streak, the longest streak for a Richmond hitter this season. Mayora has a team-leading nine multi-hit games on the season. In his first season in the Giants organization, the veteran third baseman is hitting .393 with nine RBIs. He currently ranks second in the Eastern League in batting (.393) and tied for second in hits (24). Of his 24 hits, 21 of them have been singles.

DUCKS ON THE POND: The Flying Squirrels went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against Reading Tuesday night.

Richmond also stranded 13 men at Altoona on April 20. The Flying Squirrels are 2-19 with runners in scoring position in their last two games. For the season, Richmond is batting .278 (45-162) with men in scoring position with two home runs, five doubles, one triple and 58 RBIs.

ROAD WOES: The Flying Squirrels are 1-3 on their current road trip and will attempt to avoid matching their season-high losing streak of three games, which they established after dropping the first three games of the season at New Britain (4/5-4/6), Richmond is 4-7 on the road in 2012. Last season, Richmond compiled a 32-39 (.451) mark away from The Diamond.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from April 25, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central