EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Rock Cats Send Squirrels to Rock Bottom, 7-6

Published on August 19, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The lowly New Britain Rock Cats completed a three-game sweep of the Richmond Flying Squirrels with a, 7-6, victory in the finale of a three-game series at New Britain Stadium on Thursday night. It marked the first sweep of the season for the Rock Cats, who own the worst record in the Eastern League (37-87)

The Squirrels initially started quickly, claiming their first lead of the series in the first inning against New Britain right-hander Deolis Guerra. Guerra walked Brad Boyer with one out to find trouble. Thomas Neal blasted an RBI double off the base of the wall in center field and the Squirrels led, 1-0. Guerra fell behind 3-0 to Brandon Belt and then grooved a fast ball that Belt hammered to right-center field. His eighth home run with the Squirrels put Richmond in front, 3-0.

The lead didn't last long as Richmond lefty Clayton Tanner misplayed a bunt attempt from lead-off man Estarlin de los Santos in the bottom of the inning. Evan Bigley followed with a single to put two aboard. A batter later, Juan Portes singled home New Britain's first run of the night. Steve Singleton followed with an RBI single, and Jair Fernandez tied the game, 3-3, with a sacrifice fly to center field. Two of the runs charged to Tanner were unearned

Richmond grabbed the lead back in the third when Conor Gillaspie led off with a double off Guerra. Clay Timpner followed with a single and Gillaspie scored when Mark Dolenc misplayed the ball in center field.

The Squirrels added another run against Guerra in the fourth as Darren Ford lifted a solo-home run down the left-field line for a two-run advantage, 5-3.

Again, the lead was short-lived. The Rock Cats plated three runs off a trio of Richmond hurlers in the fourth inning as Tanner departed after allowing the first two hitters to reach. He walked Fernandez and Jeff Howell singled behind him to put two aboard. Mitch Lively came on in relief and got the first out in the inning. However, he walked Chris Cates and de los Santos to force home a run. Lively was lifted in favor of Jake Stevens, who struck out Bigley. With two outs, Chris Parmalee cracked a two-run single through the hole on the right-side of the infield, and New Britain had their first lead, 6-5.

Tanner (8-8) was charged with five runs over three innings and didn't factor in the decision. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out none. Lively (2-4) was tagged with the loss in relief.

Guerra departed after four innings to a no-decision, having allowed five earned runs on nine hits. He walked three and struck out four.

New Britain added a run in the fifth against Stevens and the Squirrels responded with a run without the benefit of a hit in the sixth to keep it a one-run game, 7-6.

Loek Van Mil worked 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief before giving way to right-hander Billy Bullock. Bullock struck out Gillaspie to end the eighth and then worked a scoreless ninth for his second save of the series and 10th of the season.

The Squirrels will travel to Bowie, MD, overnight and open a three-game series with the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) at 7:05 PM on Friday night at Prince George's Stadium. RHP David Mixon (10-6, 3.63) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Eddie Gamboa (5-4, 3.70) for Bowie.

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Eastern League Stories from August 19, 2010


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