Squirrels Dispatch Senators, 3-2
Published on August 29, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
RICHMOND, VA - Juan Perez went 2-for-4 and drove in the game-winning run with a bloop single in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (69-68) defeated the Harrisburg Senators (62-74), 3-2, in the third game of a four-game series at The Diamond Wednesday night. Richmond's win coupled with a loss by the Erie SeaWolves 9-4 triumph over the Bowie Baysox kept the Flying Squirrels playoff hopes alive. Richmond trails Bowie by 5 and 1/2 games in the race for the Western Division wild-card spot.
Kickham and Perry each tossed scoreless innings through the first three frames. Then, Richmond broke the stalemate with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. After Mark Minicozzi drew a leadoff walk to start the inning, Wes Hodges smacked an RBI double into the right-center field gap. Hodges would score later in the inning when Kickham reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, which extended Richmond's lead to 2-0.
The Senators responded with a run in the top of the fifth. Jonny Tucker led off the inning with a single and he advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Perry. Sean Nicol drove in Tucker with an RBI single that made it a 2-1 ballgame.
Two innings later, Harrisburg pushed a run across to even the score. Jose Lozada reached on a hit by pitch from Kickham with one out in the inning. Tucker followed with a single that gave the Senators runners at the corners. After Kickham was removed from the game, pinch-hitter Seth Bynum drove in Lozada with an RBI groundout that tied the game at 2-2.
Richmond immediately answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Joel Weeks led off the frame with a bunt single. Moments later, he advanced to second base on a balk from Senators reliever Pat McCoy. Following a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Ryan Cavan that enabled Weeks to take third base, Perez hit a bloop single into shallow left-center field to give the Flying Squirrels a 3-2 lead.
Flying Squirrels relievers Jake Dunning and Daryl Maday combined to toss two scoreless innings to seal the win for Richmond. Dunning (5-2) picked up the win and Maday worked two scoreless frames to earn his 13th save. McCoy (7-3) was charged with the loss after he allowed three hits and one earned run in 1/3 of an inning pitched.
The Squirrels will seek a series victory when the two teams meet in the finale of the four-game set Thursday night. Richmond will send RHP Justin Fitzgerald (7-8, 3.20) to the mound. Harrisburg is expected to counter with RHP Brian Broderick (2-0, 4.24). Pregame coverage will begin on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com at 6:35 PM.
Eastern League Stories from August 29, 2012
- R-Phils Can't Find Home Plate in 6-2 Loss - Reading Fightin Phils
- Bullpen Strong in Win over Baysox - Erie SeaWolves
- Baysox Lose, Not in Playoffs Yet - Chesapeake Baysox
- Curve Walk Off, Literally, on Akron with 2-1 Win - Altoona Curve
- Germen, Timely Hitting Lead B-Mets to 6-2 Win - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Squirrels Dispatch Senators, 3-2 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- New Britain Pitching Quiets Trenton in 3-1 Win - Trenton Thunder
- Senators Hang Tough But Fall 3-2 at Richmond - Harrisburg Senators
- Portland Offense Shutout in Loss to New Hampshire - Portland Sea Dogs
- Pino Dazzles Sea Dogs in 7-0 Shutout Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- B-Mets Game Notes: at Reading Phillies - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Sea Dogs Game Notes August 29 at New Hampshire - Portland Sea Dogs
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Harrisburg - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Baysox Announce 2013 Home Schedule - Chesapeake Baysox
- Ruf Ties Howard's Single-Season HR Record in 12-8 Win - Reading Fightin Phils
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
