EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Missed Chances Doom Squirrels in Finale, 3-2

Published on May 30, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


AKRON, OH - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (24-26) fell short in their comeback bid, dropping the finale of a four-game series, 3-2, to the Akron Aeros (25-27) in front of a Canal Park-record crowd of 9,328 on Monday afternoon. With the win, the Aeros took the series, claiming three of the four games.

After the Squirrels squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the first inning, the Aeros jumped on their own chance in the bottom of the frame. Squirrels' starter Justin Fitzgerald walked Jordan Henry to start the game, and moved Henry to third base with an errant pick-off attempt. Tim Fedroff singled in Henry for a 1-0 lead, and then stole both second and third base. Beau Mills then sent a sacrifice-fly into center field to plate Fedroff for a 2-0 advantage. The Aeros stole four bases in the inning.

Richmond cut the deficit to a lone run when they picked up an unearned run against Aeros' starter Austin Adams in the fifth inning. Sharlon Schoop led off the inning with a double to left-center field. Jose Flores drew a walk behind him and the pair was bunted up a base by Skyler Stromsmoe. Justin Christian struck out, but Schoop scored when Chun Chen was charged with a passed ball with Charlie Culberson at the plate.

Neither starter factored in the decision, as both left in the sixth inning. Adams worked five innings plus two batters, allowing a lone unearned run on four hits. He walked five and struck out five. Fitzgerald got back on track and lasted 5 2/3 innings. He conceded two runs - one earned - on just three hits. He walked three and struck out five.

The Squirrels drew even with another unearned run in the seventh. Right-hander Bryan Price started the inning on the mound, and he walked Schoop to start the inning. Schoop advanced to second base on another passed ball charged to Chen. Stromsmoe then tied the game, 1-1, with a single back through the middle. The run was charged to Price and was unearned due to the passed ball.

Akron forged back ahead in the eighth inning, plating the game-winning run against right-hander Dan Otero. Matt McBride started the inning with a single to left-center field. Otero got the next two outs without McBride advancing, including a sensational diving-catch from Christian to take away extra-bases from Juan Diaz. However, on the next pitch, Chen laced a double into the right-center field alley. McBride raced around from first base to put Akron ahead, 3-2.

The Squirrels didn't go quietly in the ninth, loading the bases with one out against Aeros' closer Cory Burns. Burns was able to bear down to strike out Culberson and flied out Nick Noonan to end the ballgame, earning his 13th save of the season. The Squirrels stranded the bases loaded in the first and ninth innings, leaving 10 stranded in the ballgame.

Right-hander Matt Langwell (2-1) earned the win in relief, working 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Otero (2-1) was saddled with his first loss of the season. The Squirrels fell to a record of 7-16 on the road.

The Squirrels will travel to Bowie, MD, to open a three-game series with the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) at Prince George's Stadium on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Daryl Maday (1-3, 3.77) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Steve Johnson (3-1, 1.98) for the Baysox.

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Eastern League Stories from May 30, 2011


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