EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Bats Quiet Again in Loss to Dogs, 3-1

Published on June 9, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Portland, ME - The bats were again silent for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (28-34), as they were defeated, 3-1, by the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday night at Hadlock Field. The Squirrels have managed just two total runs through the first two games of the series, losing both to drop the three-game series.

Starting pitchers Justin Fitzgerald and Chris Hernandez dueled in the beginning of the ballgame. Neither allowed a runner past second base through five scoreless innings, as Hernandez allowed just three Richmond singles. Fitzgerald was even stingier, permitting just a lone single to Reynaldo Rodriguez.

Hernandez posted another scoreless inning in the sixth, and Fitzgerald blinked first. He issued a lead-off walk to Heiker Meneses in the sixth. Jeremy Hazelbaker followed and laid down a bunt. Richmond third baseman Daniel Mayora fielded the ball and threw errantly to first base. First baseman Russ Mitchell reached into the runner and was injured on the play. The ball got away, and Meneses came all the way around to score. Fitzgerald got the first two outs of the inning, but Rodriguez blasted his 12th home run of the season for a 3-0 lead. The home run came off a Fitzgerald slider, and made all three runs in the inning earned.

Each starter worked seven innings. Hernandez (3-5) earned the win, handcuffing the Squirrels on four hits - all singles. He walked three and struck out three in his longest out of the season. Fitzgerald (3-5) turned in a quality start over his seven innings, but endured his fifth loss of the year. He conceded three runs, all earned, on three hits. He walked three, hit another, and struck out three. The loss for the Squirrels marked the fifth consecutive Fitzgerald start in which they were defeated.

Right-hander Brock Huntzinger followed Hernandez and worked a scoreless ninth inning. The Squirrels were down to their final strike before Ryan Cavan doubled off the wall in right field in the top of the ninth inning. Mark Minicozzi followed and lifted a ground-rule double to right-center field to allow the Squirrels to avoid their seventh shutout loss of the season. Huntzinger recovered to strike out Gary Brown to end the ballgame, earning his first save of the season.

The series-finale of the three-game set is scheduled for 1 PM at Hadlock Field on Sunday afternoon. Richmond RHP Craig Westcott (6-4, 3.64) will make the start against Portland LHP Drake Britton (1-0, 0.00). Pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com .

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Eastern League Stories from June 9, 2012


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