Squirrels Ambush Curve; Take Game One
Published on May 14, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Altoona, PA - The Flying Squirrels (20-16) pounded out 13 hits - four from Luigi Rodriguez - in a 7-3 win over the Altoona Curve (18-16) on Monday evening at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Richmond jumped on Curve starter Nick Kingham after 46-minute rain delay to begin the game. Richmond starter Cory Taylor worked 5.1 innings to earn the win. The 13 hits matched a Flying Squirrels season-high.
Taylor bested Pirates hurler Kingham and surpassed his win total from all of last year in the process. Taylor (5-1) lasted 5.1 innings and allowed just two runs in six hits in the victory. The righty kept the Curve off the board through the first five innings and retired eight consecutive batters entering the sixth.
The Flying Squirrels worked up a 3-0 lead through the first two innings against Kingham. Luigi Rodriguez opened the game win an infield base hit and Aramis Garcia followed with an RBI double up the left field line. Kingham then walked Ryan Howard and unleashed a wild pitch, placing runner on second and third. Jerry Sands made it a 2-0 by grounding out to short, scoring Garcia.
Luigi Rodriguez continued the attack with an RBI triple in the top of the second inning. Rodriguez plated Ali Castillo for a 3-0 advantage. Rodriguez collected his first four-hit game of the year and raised his average to .407.
Kingham regained composure through the middle innings. The righty retired eight consecutive batters from the end of the second into the fifth. Rodriguez snapped that stretch with his third hit of the day - a base hit into left field. Garcia once again followed with a hit and Ryan Howard delivered an RBI double for a 4-0 Richmond lead. Kingham finished the inning and outing by grounding out Dylan Davis.
Kingham lasted 5.0 innings in his first start for Altoona since 2016. The righty made his MLB debut earlier this year and was sent to Altoona to keep on regular rest for the Pirates. Kingham (0-1) allowed four tuns on seven hits in the loss. He walked one and struck out four on 74 pitches.
With Kingham out of the contest, lefty Brandon Waddell took over to begin the sixth. Taylor aided his own cause with a two-run base hit, putting Richmond in the lead, 6-0. Waddell struggled with his command through three innings of work.
Reigning Player of the Week Jason Martin disrupted Taylor's shutout with a leadoff home run to start the sixth. Martin drilled his fifth homer into the seats in left field for a 6-1 contest. Taylor ran out of steam and departed the game with a pair of runners on base. Will LaMarche relived Taylor and yielded an RBI groundout before ending the inning, 6-2.
LaMarche worked 2.2 innings of relief. He one run on two hits, keeping the Squirrels in front. Dillon McNamara tossed a scoreless ninth to end the game.
RVA Acorns:
Cory Taylor made his 8th start of the year, second against Altoona
Taylor won his fifth game of the year. He won four games in 2017
Monday was Taylor's 34th career Double-A start
Josh Harrison made an MLB rehab appearance, batting second for Altoona
Luigi Rodriguez hit his second triple of the season in the second inning. He collected his first four-hit game of the year and the sixth of his career.
Aramis Garcia batted second in the lineup for the first time this year
The Modelo Mixed Nut Race standings are: Almond Brothers (9), Johnny Cashew (6) Walnut (2) and Peanut (1).
Jersey Tally: Orange Jersey tally 1-1, Funnville Jersey Tally, 3-1
The Flying Squirrels continue their three-game road trip to Altoona on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Flying Squirrels RHP Shaun Anderson (4-1, 2.31) is scheduled to make the start for Richmond against Altoona RHP Mitch Keller(3-2, 3.44). Richmond returns to The Diamond on Thursday ,May 17. tickets for Thursday, as well as the rest of the 2018 season in Funnville can be found at www.squirrrelsbaseball.com.
Eastern League Stories from May 14, 2018
- RubberDucks Downed in 10 - Akron RubberDucks
- Harrison, Kingham Return in Curve Defeat - Altoona Curve
- Grand Slam Highlights Fisher Cats Win over Yard Goats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Six extra-base hits account for the 10 as Fightins hold off Sea Dogs 10-7 - Reading Fightin Phils
- Sea Dogs Battle the Fightins, But Drop Opener 10-7 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder Walk off against Akron in Tenth - Trenton Thunder
- Cats Bats Rattle Goats, as Guerrero Goes Yard - Hartford Yard Goats
- Tebow & Timely Hits Extend Ponies Win Streak - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Squirrels Ambush Curve; Take Game One - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Erie Pen Struggles in Series Opener - Erie SeaWolves
- Senators and Baysox Suspended Due to Rain - Harrisburg Senators
- Baysox, Senators Suspended Due to Rain - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs Game Notes May 14th vs. Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Bird, McKinney Continue Rehab in Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Former MLB Players Join Yard Goats Coaches for Free Youth Baseball Clinic - Hartford Yard Goats
- Erie SeaWolves vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Harrisburg Senators Game Notes at Bowie - Game #36 - Harrisburg Senators
- Rumble Ponies Game Notes: Game #35 - Rumble Ponies (17-17) vs. SeaWolves (14-21) - 6:35 PM - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Martin Named Eastern League Player of the Week - Altoona Curve
- Eastern League Weekly Award Winners Announced for May 7th-May 13th - EL1
- Ryan Howard to be Inducted in Baseballtown Hall of Fame on Tuesday, August 14th - Reading Fightin Phils
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