Squirrels Comeback Falls Short; Three-Game Streak Snapped
Published on May 12, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Funnville - Trenton Thunder left-hander Ryan Bollinger lulled the Flying Squirrels through eight innings in a 6-4 win over Richmond on Saturday night in front of 8,473 fans at The Diamond. Richmond (19-15) rallied for three runs in the ninth inning and managed to bring the tying run to the plate before Kaleb Ort struck out pinch-hitter K.C. Hobson to end the game. The series and homestand finale is set for Mother's Day on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
Trailing 6-1 in the ninth, Richmond's offense game to life, a bit too late. The Flying Squirrels ambushed reliever Andrew Schwaab, starting with a walk to Miguel Gomez. Gomez was erased on a fielder's choice and Luigi Rodriguez also worked a walk, placing runners on first and second. After Jerry Sands avoided a game-ending double play by eluding a tag at first base, John Riley rolled a base hit into left field for a 6-2 contest. Ali Castillo followed with a booming, two-run double into left centerfield, pulling the Squirrels to within two, 6-4. Schwaab was then replaced by Kaleb Ort who struck out Hobson to end the game.
The Thunder out-hit Richmond 13-5 in the effort and provided enough offense for Bollinger. The lefty Bollinger carved through the Flying Squirrels lineup in just his second career start at Double-A. The journeyman lefty kept Richmond off the board through the first seven innings. Bollinger retired 11 consecutive batters heading into the eighth, where he would incur his only blemish of the game.
Bollinger (2-0) earned the win with his longest outing in affiliated baseball. Bollinger allowed one unearned run on three hits. He struck out five and walked one on 94 pitches.
Flying Squirrels starter Garrett Williams scuffled with his control in a short outing on Saturday. Williams teetered on the brink of danger in the first inning, loading the bases on a pair of hits and a walk. With one out, Williams induced a groundball double play to end the threat and stem the tide.
Trenton pushed across a pair of runs in the third inning while leading Williams to his exit. Mandy Alvarez lifted a fly ball base hit down the right field line to open the inning and Bruce Caldwell followed with a single into right. Williams then walked Ben Ruta to load the bases and Chace Numata drove home the first run of the night on an infield groundout to short. Gosuke Katoh also drew a walk, leading to Williams' departure. Reliever Dan Slania entered with the bases loaded and allowed an inherited runner to score before Chris Gittens flew out to deep centerfield to end the inning.
Williams (1-2) lasted 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits. The lefty walked five and struck out three while using 78 pitches in the defeat.
The Thunder moved ahead 3-0 with a run off Slania in the top of the fifth. Alvarez looped a double into right centerfield and with one out Bruce Caldwell connected on an RBI base hit to bring him home. Slania worked 1.2 innings and allowed the one run in relief.
Right-hander Ryan Halstead worked two scoreless innings to keep Richmond within reach, 3-0. Halstead took the game into the eighth where lefty Carlos Diaz took over. Diaz allowed three runs on three hits in the inning, highlighted by a Trey Amburgey two-run double.
RVA Acorns:
Dillon McNamara made his 2018 Richmond debut against his former team.
John Riley had his first multi-hit game at Double-A.
Luigi Rodriguez had his six-game hitting streak come to a close. Luigi went 0-3 with a walk.
The Modelo Mixed Nut Race standings are: Almond Brothers (8), Johnny Cashew (6) Walnut (2) and Peanut (1).
Jersey Tally: Orange Jersey tally 1-1, Funnville Jersey Tally, 3-1
Bollinger's longest outing in affiliated baseball prior to tonight was on 8/21/11 (7IP) while with Bristol.
Richmond has not been shutout this season.
The Flying Squirrels conclude their week-long homestand on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Sunday is a Mother's Day celebration with a free Nutasha bobblehead to first 1,000 fans (14 & under) presented by NBC 12. RHP Chase Johnson (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled to make the start for the Squirrels against Trenton RHP Brian Keller (2-2, 4.62). Tickets for Sunday, as well as the rest of the 2018 season in Funnville can be found at www.squirrrelsbaseball.com.
Eastern League Stories from May 12, 2018
- Yard Goats Pull off Win in Stormy Bowie - Hartford Yard Goats
- Baysox Rally in Ninth, But Fall Short in 6-4 Loss - Chesapeake Baysox
- RubberDucks Rally over Erie - Akron RubberDucks
- 'Wolves Squander Ninth Inning Lead on Saturday - Erie SeaWolves
- Squirrels Comeback Falls Short; Three-Game Streak Snapped - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Brilliant Bollinger Leads 6-4 Win - Trenton Thunder
- Fightin Phils and Curve Postponed Due to Rain - Reading Fightin Phils
- Curve and Fightin Phils Postponed for Rain - Altoona Curve
- Senators and Fisher Cats Postponed - Harrisburg Senators
- Fisher Cats - Senators Game Postponed Saturday - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Ponies Bats Back Pitchers' Tightrope Walk, 10-7 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Late Rally Falls Short, 'Dogs Defeated by Binghamton 10-7 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Hendrix Activated from DL - Trenton Thunder
- Erie SeaWolves vs. Akron RubberDucks - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Harrisburg Senators Game Notes vs. New Hampshire - Game #34 - Harrisburg Senators
- Rumble Ponies Game Notes: Game #33 - Rumble Ponies (15-17) at Sea Dogs (11-20) - 1:00 PM - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Sea Dogs Game Notes May 12th vs. Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
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