EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Late Heroics Continue As Squirrels Sweep Doubleheader And Series

Published on July 7, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (45-39) continued their series-long theme of late dramatics, coming from behind twice to sweep a doubleheader from the Trenton Thunder (48-38). Richmond walked off with a 3-2 victory in the opener, and rallied for a, 2-1, triumph in the nightcap to also sweep their first four-game series of the season.

Trailing 2-1 to the bottom of the seventh inning of game one, the Squirrels rallied in unconventional fashion for their second consecutive walk-off win. Entering in relief, switch-pitching Pat Venditte walked both Wes Hodges and Johnny Monell to start the inning. Skyler Stromsmoe came on to pinch-run for Hodges. Juan Perez, attempting to lay down a sacrifice-bunt, instead laid down a bunt-single. Venditte threw wildly past first base on the play, allowing Stromsmoe to score to tie the game, and Monell to move to third base with nobody out. Nick Noonan then lifted a sacrifice-fly to center field to win the game for Richmond, 3-2.

The Squirrels got out quickly against Yankees' top pitching prospect Dellin Betances. The right-hander retired the first two Richmond batters in the first inning, but Roger Kieschnick registered a two-out single. Kieschnick stole second base, and Chris Dominguez brought him in for a 1-0 lead with an RBI single to right-center field.

Trenton turned the tables on Richmond in the second inning, plating a pair of runs for a 2-1 advantage. Bradley Suttle started the frame with a lead-off single off of Squirrels' left-hander Ryan Verdugo. Two batters later, Jose Pirela cracked his second home run of the series over the left-center field wall.

Both starters were outstanding following the early dustups, as neither would be scored upon again. However, neither would factor in the decision. Betances worked six innings, allowing just the lone run on four hits. He walked two and struck out nine. Verdugo departed after 5 1/3 innings, permitting two earned runs on just three hits. He walked three and punched out seven.

Right-hander Hector Correa (1-0) worked a scoreless 1 2/3 innings to finish the ballgame and earn the win for Richmond. He earned his first win at the Double-A level, retiring five of the six batters he faced. Venditte (2-4) endured the loss for Trenton.

Pitching dominated the first half of game two, as right-handers Justin Fitzgerald and Craig Heyer each tossed four scoreless innings. Fitzgerald held the Thunder without a hit through the first four innings, while striking out five. However, the Thunder got to him in the fifth. Pirela led off the inning with a single into left-center field. He advanced to second base on a wild-pitch, and scored a batter later on an RBI single from Jose Gil.

Fitzgerald left during the fifth inning, turning in 4 2/3 innings and allowing a lone run. He walked one, hit one and struck out seven.

The Squirrels rally waited until the sixth inning, when Charlie Culberson laced a single into right field to lead off the inning. Kieschnick forced him at second before scoring to tie the game, 1-1, on a double rifled into the left-center field alley from Dominguez. Wes Hodges then supplied the game-winner, scorching a double into the left-field corner to plate Dominguez.

Left-hander Alex Hinshaw (1-0) retired all four batters that he faced after relieving Fitzgerald. He struck out three as he won for the first time. Right-hander Heath Hembree dispatched the Thunder in order in the seventh for his fourth save in as many chances.

The Squirrels will welcome the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) to The Diamond for the opener of a five-game series on Friday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Henry Sosa (4-1, 2.57) will make the start for Richmond against LHP Oliver Perez (2-1, 2.48). Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on both Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 7, 2011


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