EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Noonan Helps Squirrels Nip Aeros In 10 Innings, 3-2

Published on May 28, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


AKRON, OH - Nick Noonan supplied the game-winning double as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (24-24) upended the Akron Aeros (23-27), 3-2, in 10 innings on Saturday night at Canal Park. The win allowed the Squirrels to pull even in the series as they played their league-leading 9th extra-inning affair.

With the ballgame knotted, 2-2, Aeros' closer Cory Burns came on to pitch the 10th and issued a lead-off walk to Skyler Stromsmoe. Justin Christian bunted Stromsmoe to second, but Burns struck out Charlie Culberson for the second out of the inning. However, Noonan roped a double up the right-field line to score Stromsmoe with the eventual game-winning run as Richmond went ahead, 3-2.

Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz walked Christian to start the ballgame, and the Squirrels wasted no time jumping on the left-hander for the lead. Culberson followed with a double up the left-field line to put two aboard. Noonan then lined a two-run single into right-center field, putting Richmond in front, 2-0. Noonan finished the evening with three RBIs.

The Aeros cut the lead in half against Squirrels' left-hander Ryan Verdugo in the third inning. Juan Apodaca led off the inning with a single, and Jordan Henry singled behind him to put two aboard. Tim Fedroff bunted the runners up a base before Matt McBride reached to load the bases when Johnny Monell was called for catcher's interference. Beau Mills got the Aeros on the board with an RBI ground out.

An unearned run against Verdugo in the fourth allowed the Aeros to pull even, 2-2. Verdugo issued a one-out walk to Kyle Bellows, and Karexon Sanchez singled behind him to put runners at first and second. Apodaco chopped a ball to Noonan, and the Squirrels attempted to turn a double-play. They got the force at second base, but Culberson's relay throw to first skipped past Ryan Lormand, allowing Bellows to score to tie the game.

Meanwhile, De La Cruz settled into a groove, retiring 11 consecutive batters following the Squirrels' uprising in the first inning. He did not allow another hit to Richmond until the sixth inning. He departed to a no-decision in the frame, having worked 5 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked four and struck out four.

Verdugo also didn't register a decision, leaving to a no-decision after five-plus innings. He was charged with two runs - one earned - on five hits. He walked three and struck out five. Right-hander Osiris Matos came on in relief after Verdugo had allowed the first two batters to reach in the sixth inning, and struck out the side to keep the game tied.

Matos ultimately worked three scoreless innings, striking out four in the process. He turned it over to right-hander Dan Otero in the ninth. Otero (2-0) retired all six batters that he faced, turning the Aeros aside in order in both the 9th and 10th innings for his second win of the season.

Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for 1:05 PM at Canal Park on Sunday afternoon. LHP Eric Surkamp (3-2, 1.53) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Joe Gardner (3-3, 4.06) for the Aeros.

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Eastern League Stories from May 28, 2011


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