EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Richmond Rally Runs Out, Bowie Claims Finale, Series

Published on May 11, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


BOWIE, MD - The Flying Squirrels (15-18) battled back from an early 4-1 deficit and had the tying run on base after scoring a run in the top of the ninth inning; however, the Bowie Baysox (17-16) held off the Richmond rally to earn a 6-5, series-clinching win on Wednesday afternoon at Prince George's Stadium. With the loss, the Squirrels dropped to 4-12 on the road.

Nick Noonan kept the Squirrels' hopes alive in the top of the ninth inning, lacing a one-out double to right-center field. A wild pitch advanced Noonan to third, and Charlie Culberson pulled Richmond to within a run with a RBI single to center, extending his hitting streak to eight games in the process. The Flying Squirrels rally ended there; however, as Baysox closer Jose Diaz struck out Roger Kieschnick swinging and Juan Perez looking to record his 11th save of the season.

The Baysox scored what proved to be the deciding runs in the bottom of the seventh. With the game tied 4-4 and after retiring the first batter he faced in the inning, left-handed reliever Wilmin Rodriguez (0-1) allowed the next three batters he faced to reach base. Carlos Rojas and Xavier Avery hit back-to-back singles and Kyle Hudson drew a walk to load the bases. Right-hander Osiris Matos entered the game and the first batter he faced, Caleb Joseph, singled into left field, driving in two runs and giving Bowie a 6-4 advantage.

The Squirrels had rallied from a 4-1 hole in the top of the sixth inning. Kieschnick doubled to left-center field to open up the Richmond sixth on what turned out to be the only hit of the inning. Perez then drew a walk, prompting the Baysox to go to their bullpen. Left-hander Pedro Viola took over for starter Alfredo Simon, and the first batter he faced, Joe Koshansky, reached on an error on a chopper to first base which enabled Kieschnick to score and make it a 4-2 contest. A walk to Johnny Monell loaded the bases and a wild pitch on the first offering from Viola (2-0) to Aaron Lowenstein brought Perez home and made it a one-run game. Lowenstein would ground out to second; however, Koshansky scored on the play to tie the game 4-4.

Simon, who appeared in 49 games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2010, was charged with three runs, all earned, on five hits while striking out eight batters and walking three.

Bowie got on the board first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. With a runner at second base and two away, Pedro Florimon singled into left-center field to score Ronnie Welty with the game's first run and a 1-0 Baysox lead. Steve Lerud then followed with a base hit into right field as Florimon went first to third to put runners at the corners. Rojas made it three straight two-out, base hits as he singled into left to drive in Florimon and increase the Bowie advantage to 2-0.

Richmond responded quickly in the top of the fourth inning. Kieschnick doubled to right to lead off the frame, and he scored two pitches later as Perez singled into right to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Baysox got the run back and then some in the bottom of the fourth inning. Welty led off the frame with a homerun to left field and one out later, Florimon sent the second pitch he saw from Verdugo over the fence in left, just inside the foul pole, giving the Baysox a 4-1 lead. It was the first time the Flying Squirrels allowed multiple homeruns in an inning this season.

Verudgo was lifted in the bottom of the fifth inning after allowing four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out six batters and walked two and did not factor into the decision.

The Squirrels will return to Richmond to open a four-game series with the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) at 7:05 PM on Thursday night at The Diamond. LHP Eric Surkamp (2-2, 1.65) will start the series-opener for the Squirrels against RHP Ryan Tatusko (1-3, 6.35) for the Senators.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 11, 2011


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