EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Mastroianni Belts Three Hits in Loss

August 4, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


The Richmond Flying Squirrels scored two runs in the top of the 10th to record a 4-2 win against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Tuesday in front of 6,434 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. Darin Mastroianni, Adeiny Hechavarria, Shawn Bowman and Jonathan Diaz led the offense with multiple hits, but it was not enough to keep Richmond, formerly the Connecticut Defenders, from winning in their first-ever meeting against New Hampshire.

The pitching combination of Zach Stewart, Vince Bongiovanni and Ronald Uviedo kept the home-team in the contest by extending the game into extra innings, but it was Brandon Belt who decided the game with a two RBI double with the bases loaded in the top of the tenth.

The Flying Squirrels (53-56) scored in their first inning of play in New Hampshire. Darren Ford started the game with a triple down the left field line, and scored on the next batter when Nick Noonan grounded into a 3-1 putout to give Richmond the early 1-0 advantage.

Fisher Cats starter Stewart settled down from that point on, even though he didn't factor in on the decision. Stewart retired 14 in a row at one point and struck out six of seven during that stretch. He finished after only recording five innings of work though, allowing just the one run on two hits while striking out six and walking none.

New Hampshire (65-45) tied it at one apiece with back-to-back singles from the top of their order. Mastroianni (3 for 4, run) started the two-out rally with an opposite field bloop to left. Mastroianni then added to his league-lead in stolen bases (37) when swiping second, and scored just underneath the catcher's tag when Hechavarria (2 for 5) hit a sharp base knock on one hop to the left fielder.

The Fisher Cats gained the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, while also chasing Richmond starter Craig Westcott from the game. Diaz (2 for 4) led off the frame with a single, and notched the go-ahead run by moving to second on a Mastroianni base hit to right and scoring on a RBI single by Adam Loewen through the left-side hole.

Westcott ended his day after 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking one. Richmond used four other pitchers, including Mitch Lively (2-2, 2.93), who recorded the win by pitching the ninth and Rafael Cova, who added to his league-lead with his 19th save.

New Hampshire's lead was short-lived as Richmond tallied a run in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 2-2. With Vince Bongiovanni in as relief, Brad Boyer laced a double into the left-center gap before Thomas Neal brought him home two batters later on a sacrifice fly to right.

Bongiovanni gave up a leadoff base hit in each of his three innings of work, but it only came back to bite him in the sixth. The 6'5", 215-pounder pitched three innings on the night, allowing just the one run on four hits, while striking out two and walking one.

Uviedo (2-4, 4.45) followed and recorded the loss after pitching a scoreless ninth before giving up the game-winner in the tenth.

The Fisher Cats will continue the homestand with a Wednesday matinee for the second of three games against the Flying Squirrels. New Hampshire right-hander Shawn Hill (0-0, 0.00) will be making his Fisher Cats debut after being transferred from Advanced-A Dunedin, and will be opposed by Richmond right-handed starter Felix Romero (3-1, 3.45). Fisher Cats Pre-Game begins at 11:45 a.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman.

Wednesday marks Camp Day/Splash Day at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. Fans will also be playing USA Subs Baseball Bingo. For ticket information, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics



Eastern League Stories from August 4, 2010


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