Solo-Shots Shoot Down Squirrels, 3-2
April 24, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
READING, PA - Back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning lifted the Reading Phillies to a 3-2 triumph over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in front of 8,082 at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday night. The victory for Reading snapped a four-game win-streak for Richmond and allowed the R-Phils to pull even in the three-game series.
The R-Phils grabbed the lead with a run off of Squirrels' starter Mike MacDonald in the second inning. Brian Stavisky led off the inning with a single and advanced hurriedly to second when MacDonald delivered a wild pitch. Stavisky moved to third on a ground-out from Brandon Pinckney and scored to give Reading a 1-0 lead when Kevin Nelson sent a single to right-center field.
Reading starter Vance Worley was in command early, fanning seven over the first five innings while keeping the Flying Squirrels at bay. However, Conor Gillaspie got Richmond started as they finally got to the right-hander in the sixth. Gillaspie sliced a double into the gap in left-center field to open the inning. Michael Ambort followed with a bouncer to the right side which was thrown away by Ozzie Chavez, allowing Gillaspie to score to tie the game and sending Ambort to second base. He advanced to third on a wild pitch from Worley and scored to give the Flying Squirrels a 2-1 lead when Roger Kieschnick lifted a sacrifice-fly to left field.
MacDonald settled in and pitched effectively through the sixth inning. However, he ran into problems in the seventh as Reading grabbed the lead back courtesy of back-to-back solo-home runs from Stavisky and Pinckney. Stavisky sent his first home run of the season to right-center field to tie the game, and Pinckney pulled his second of the season to left field to give Reading a 3-2 lead they never relinquished. MacDonald (0-2) endured his second loss of the season despite turning in a quality start over 6 1/3 innings.
Michael Stutes (2-0), who had relieved Worley after six innings, worked two scoreless innings for his second victory of the season. Sergio Escalona worked a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season.
The series finale of the three-game set is scheduled for 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium. LHP Clayton Tanner (1-1, 2.81) will make the start for the Flying Squirrels against RHP Phillippe Aumont (0-1, 4.60) for the R-Phils.
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