Squirrels Delight the Masses, Walk off in 10th, 4-3
July 4, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels celebrated Independence Day with a walk-off 10-inning, 4-3, win over the Erie SeaWolves in front of a sellout crowd of 9,560 on Sunday night. The victory netted the Squirrels the series as well, taking three-of-four from the SeaWolves.
Shaking off a blown two-run lead in the ninth, Brandon Belt led off the 10th against Erie right-hander Zach Simons in the 10th. Belt contributed his fourth hit of the night, a single to start the game-winning rally. He was bunted to second and stayed there as Nick Noonan was intentionally walked and Nestor Rojas struck out. With two outs, Clay Timpner dug in and drove the game-winning single off the wall in right field. Simons (2-2) was tagged with the loss as Richmond walked off for the second time in the series.
Pitching dominated the early portion of the finale as the ballgame went scoreless into the fifth inning. The Squirrels finally broke through in the bottom of the frame against Erie left-hander Ramon Garcia. Noonan opened the inning by ripping a double down the right-field line. He was bunted to third by Rojas and scored when Skyler Stromsmoe singled into right field for a 1-0 Richmond lead.
Belt doubled the advantage for the Squirrels in the sixth. Appearing in just his second game with Richmond, Belt sent a solo-home run that clanked off the left-field foul pole. His first blast with the Squirrels gave Richmond a 2-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Romero was dealing. He held Erie to just two hits while shutting them out for six innings. However, the SeaWolves got started with back-to-back singles from Andy Dirks and Kody Kaiser. A batter later, Andy Bouchie lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to pull Erie within a run, 2-1.
Romero departed following the sacrifice fly and didn't record a decision despite turning in a sterling performance. The righty allowed just a lone run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He didn't walk a sole and struck out four.
The Squirrels turned it over to all-star closer Rafael Cova in the ninth and the right-hander couldn't hold the lead. He walked the lead-off batter and eventually walked in two runs to allow Erie to tie the ballgame and force the decisive 10th inning. Cova had the Seawolves down to their final strike before walking both Bryan Pounds and Ben Guez to force in the runs.
Left-hander Andy Sisco (2-4) relieved Cova in the ninth and finished the inning to keep the game tied. He also worked a perfect 10th to earn his second win of the season.
The Squirrels travel to Harrisburg, PA, to open a four-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) on Monday night at Metro Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM as RHP David Mixon (8-4, 3.40) will make the start for Richmond against LHP John Lannan (1-1, 4.85) for Harrisburg.
Eastern League Stories from July 4, 2010
- Aeros Fall 6-5 to Bowie in 11 Innings - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox Declare Independence in Extras - Chesapeake Baysox
- Mets Come Back to Steal Series - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder End Series with a Bang; Complete Sweep - Trenton Thunder
- B-Mets Stay Hot, Top Portland 10-8 for Sixth Straight Series Victory - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Squirrels Delight the Masses, Walk off in 10th, 4-3 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Sens' Offense Lacks Fireworks - Harrisburg Senators
- 'Wolves Fall in 10 Innings to Squirrels - Erie SeaWolves
- Curve Falter on the Fourth in 6-4 Loss - Altoona Curve
- Kyle Drabek No-Hits New Britain on the Fourth of July - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Trenton Thunder Roster Updates - Trenton Thunder
- 2B Nick Noonan Activated - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Aeros Lose RHP Stowell to Columbus - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox Ground Aeros Aerials - Chesapeake Baysox
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