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EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Four Squirrels Selected to EL All-Star Game

June 28, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels are pleased to announce that four players will represent Richmond in the 2012 Baseballtown All-Star Classic. RHP Brett Bochy, RHP Chris Heston, C Tommy Joseph and 3B Daniel Mayora have been selected to participate in the game as a result of a vote of the Eastern League's managers, broadcasters, media members and fans. The game will take place at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA on Wednesday, July 11th. 2012 marks the third consecutive season that Richmond has sent at least four players to the Eastern League All-Star Game.

Since his debut with Richmond on April 7, Brett Bochy has thrived as a key member of the Flying Squirrels bullpen. Bochy, who made the jump from Low-A Augusta last season to Double-A in 2012, tossed 18 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season before finally allowing a run on May 10. The former University of Kansas standout became Richmond's closer in early May and he has continued to pitch well in this vital role. In 24 appearances, Bochy is 5-2 with eight saves in eleven opportunities and he has compiled an impressive 1.59 ERA. Additionally, he has limited opposing batters to a .144 batting average (16-for-111). Bochy is a native of San Diego, Calif. and he is the son of current San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy.

Flying Squirrels starter Chris Heston has excelled throughout the season. After winning the California League ERA title (3.16) with Advanced-A San Jose in 2011, Heston currently leads the Eastern League with a 1.68 ERA. The right-hander also is tied for the league lead in strikeouts (86) and WHIP (0.97) and he ranks third in the circuit in opponents' batting average (.210) and innings pitched (91.0). In 15 starts with Richmond, Heston is 6-3 with a 1.68 ERA. Heston, a former East Carolina University star, will be participating in his second minor league all-star game after earning a spot on the California League's mid-season all-star team in 2011.

After entering the 2012 season as San Francisco's No. 2-ranked prospect according to Baseball America, Flying Squirrels catcher Tommy Joseph has lived up to those lofty expectations through the season's first half. In 55 games with Richmond, Joseph is batting .250 with three home runs and 15 RBIs. Additionally, the 20-year-old catcher has thrown out 42 percent (11-for-26) of potential base stealers. Joseph has also been named one of two catcher for the U.S. Team in the 2012 MLB Futures Game, which will take place at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium on Sunday, July 8th. Since being selected by San Francisco in the second round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Phoenix, Ariz. native has been named a mid-season all-star in the South Atlantic League (Low-A) in 2010 and a post-season all-star in the California League in 2011. Joseph was also named the Defensive Player of the Year for Advanced-A San Jose last season after leading the California League by throwing out 37 percent of potential base stealers

Third baseman Daniel Mayora has enjoyed a banner first half in his first season as member of the Giants organization. The Venezuela native currently leads Richmond in batting average (.294) and RBIs (35). Additionally, Mayora is tied for second on the club in doubles (12) and total bases (95). Mayora began his career in the Colorado Rockies organization, where he was named a mid-season and post-season all-star in the South Atlantic League in 2007. After signing as minor league free agent with Tampa Bay following the 2010 campaign, Mayora was named a mid-season all-star in the Southern League (Double-A) while playing for the Montgomery Biscuits.

The Flying Squirrels also placed five players onto the Western Division squad in the 2011 Eastern League All-Star Game. 2B Charlie Culberson, RHP Justin Fitzgerald, OF Roger Kieschnick and LHP Eric Surkamp were all voted to the all-star game and C Johnny Monell was added to the Western Division roster as a replacement for Akron's Chun Chen, who missed the game due to injury. Culberson went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI in the game and Kieschnick provided two hits and two RBIs in the West's 8-3 triumph over the East. Monell added a base hit and an RBI and Fitzgerald struck out one batter in a scoreless inning on the mound.

The Squirrels will attempt to snap their season-high six-game losing streak when the square off against Reading at FirstEnergy Stadium tonight. Richmond will send LHP Chris Gloor (1-1, 2.97) to the mound. Reading is expected to counter with right-hander Jordan Whatcott (1-0, 2.65). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tune to Sports Radio 910 for all the live action, beginning with the Flying Squirrels Pre-Game Warm-Up presented by your local Ford dealers at 6:35 PM.

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Eastern League Stories from June 28, 2012


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