EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Neal and Romero Lead Squirrels to Fourth Straight, 7-3

Published on June 28, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels built an early lead with back-to-back home runs and never looked back, dumping the Akron Aeros, 7-3, in front of 3,872 at The Diamond on Monday night. The win ran Richmond's win-streak to four games

An error on Aeros' shortstop Cristo Arnal got the Squirrels started as they opened up quickly on Akron right-hander Paolo Espino in the first inning. Brandon Crawford reached on the error and Thomas Neal followed with a two-run home run cranked to left field that gave Richmond a 2-0 lead. Roger Kieschnick then stepped in and made it back-to-back homers with a solo-blast to right-center field. The consecutive home runs marked the first time Richmond had gone back-to-back in franchise history.

Espino (7-3) settled in and retired 13 consecutive batters spanning from the first inning through the fifth inning. However, Neal led off the sixth with an opposite-field double and two batters later Conor Gillaspie drove him in with a single back through the middle for a 4-0 advantage. Espino departed following the next batter. He turned in 6 2/3 innings and allowed four runs - three earned - on six hits. He walked one and struck out seven as he lost for the first time since May 16th.

Meanwhile, Felix Romero was dealing. The right-hander had allowed just two hits over his first six scoreless innings. The only chink in his armor was supplied in the seventh inning when Matt McBride sent a solo-home run to left field.

Richmond quickly erased the memory of the blast as they plated three runs against reliever Connor Graham in the bottom of the inning. The inning started with four consecutive singles for Richmond and was highlighted by RBI singles from Crawford and Neal as well as a sacrifice fly from Kieschnick. Graham was charged with all three runs as the Squirrels raced to a 7-1 lead.

Romero (1-1) began the eighth inning and recorded the first out before departing after a one-out single from Arnal. He earned his first win of the season over a career-high 7 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on five hits, walking one and matching a career-high with eight strike outs.

Wilmin Rodriguez cleaned up and finished the ballgame. He did allow Arnal to score in the eighth in addition to one more Akron run, but closed it out for the Richmond victory. Neal logged four hits in the ballgame and drove in three runs.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Tuesday night at The Diamond. RHP Daryl Maday (8-4, 2.22) will make the start for Richmond against a yet to be determined starter for the Aeros.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 28, 2010


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