EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Richmond Rises in Ninth, Squirrels Steal Finale, 7-5

Published on July 20, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - For the first time in 38 tries on the season, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (50-45) won when trailing after eight innings, rallying for five runs in the ninth inning to claim a dramatic, 7-5, win over the New Britain Rock Cats in front of a capacity crowd of 6,920 at New Britain Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The Squirrels took the series with the victory, improving to 3-4 on their current road trip and 1-37 when trailing after eight innings.

Trailing 5-2 to the top of the ninth inning, the Squirrels rallied back against New Britain right-hander Brett Jacobson. Wendell Fairley drew an inning-opening walk and Juan Perez doubled behind him. Francisco Peguero grounded out to bring in Fairley with Perez moving to third base. Perez scored on a wild-pitch from Jacobson to make it a one-run game, and Charlie Culberson drew a walk to put the tying-run aboard. Roger Kieschnick cracked a double into the right-center field alley to tie the game, 5-5. Chris Dominguez followed and crushed a game-winning two-run home run to left-center field as the Squirrels pulled ahead for good, 7-5.

Right-hander Daryl Maday working in emergency duty, came on to work a perfect bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the season. Maday had been scheduled to start Thursday's series-opener against Harrisburg.

Squirrels' starter Ryan Verdugo struggled with his command in the early-going, issuing a lead-off walk in the first inning to Brian Dozier. A batter later, Joe Benson drilled a 2-0 pitch over the left-field wall for a 2-0 lead.

The long-ball again stung Verdugo in the second as Deibinson led off and cracked Verdugo's first pitch of the inning to left-center field. The solo-home run stretched the Rock Cats' lead to 3-0. Mark Dolenc followed with a single and stole second base. He advanced to third on a wild-pitch from Verdugo and scored on a sacrifice-fly from Yangervis Solarte for a 4-0 cushion. Verdugo also walked two in the inning, and had issued four free passes through two innings.

Meanwhile, Verdugo's college teammate at LSU, left-hander Blake Martin, was rolling. Making a spot-start for the Rock Cats, he turned in five scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits, walked one and struck out two.

Richmond got on the board for the first time in the seventh inning against left-hander Andrew Albers. Johnny Monell led off the inning with a double. A batter later, Juan Perez lined an RBI single into center field to plate Monell.

After his early struggles, Verdugo (6-5) found a groove and didn't incur further damage as he worked six innings. He permitted four earned runs on four hits, walked five and struck out five.

New Britain tacked the run right back on in the bottom of the seventh inning as Dozier led off with a single against left-hander David Quinowski. He again stole second base and Benson brought him around with an RBI single. Quinowski (2-2) earned the win in relief for Richmond, working two innings of relief.

The Squirrels picked up a second run in the ballgame off of right-hander Deolis Guerra in the eighth inning as Kieschnick came home on a sacrifice-fly from Sharlon Schoop.

The Squirrels return to The Diamond to open a four-day, six-game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals). First pitch for the series opener on Thursday night is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Probable pitchers have not yet been announced for the two clubs. For tickets or more information, log on to SquirrelsBaseball.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 20, 2011


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