EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Erupt Late, Paste Mets, 10-3

Published on August 17, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Binghamton, NY - The Richmond Flying Squirrels (63-62) recorded eight runs over their final two offensive innings to win going away, 10-3, over the Binghamton Mets (60-65) on Friday night at NYSEG Stadium.

Pitching dominated the early portion of the ballgame as Richmond righty Craig Westcott and Binghamton lefty Mark Cohoon each worked through four scoreless innings. Richmond broke through first, striking for a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Wes Hodges, playing his first game with the Squirrels since May 15th, singled to open the inning. A batter later, Ehire Adrianza was hit by a pitch. Ryan Cavan then belted a two-run triple through the alley in right-center field and Richmond held a 2-0 advantage.

With the aid of an error, Binghamton cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning. Raul Reyes led off with a single into center field. A batter later Juan Centeno sent a grounded singled into left field. Reyes attempted to go first-to-third on the play. Richmond left fielder Mark Minicozzi threw on a short-hop to third base, and the ball caromed off Daniel Mayora into the Richmond dugout. Reyes was awarded the plate on the error, slicing Richmond's lead in half, 2-1.

The B-Mets wrestled the lead away with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Dustin Martin led off with a single and the Squirrels had more trouble defensively when Wilmer Flores followed with a single. Flores' single was sent to right field. Juan Perez came up throwing to third base attempting to cut down Martin. His throw was late, and Mayora attempted to throw back to second to get Flores. That throw was errant back into right field. Martin scored during the fiasco, and Binghamton tied the ballgame, 2-2. Westcott walked the next batter before recording the first two outs of the evening. However, on the verge of exiting the inning with the ballgame even, Westcott conceded an RBI single to Sean Kazmar. Flores scored with the go-ahead run as Binghamton grabbed a 3-2 lead.

The Squirrels mounted their game-claiming charge in the top of the eighth inning. Cohoon started the inning on the hill and recorded the first out. However, he allowed a one-out single to Nick Liles and walked Gary Brown before being lifted in favor of right-hander Ryan Fraser. Fraser entered and walked Mayora to load the bases. Perez followed and cracked a two-run double to left-center field. The two-bagger gave the Squirrels the lead back, 4-3. Richmond didn't stop there, adding two more runs when Hodges drilled a ball off the top of the wall in left-center field. The Squirrels plated four runs in the inning to take a 6-3 lead.

Cohoon was saddled with the loss over 7 1/3 innings. He was charged with four runs on six hits, walked one and struck out four. Westcott earned the win across seven innings, permitting three runs on nine hits. The right-hander became the first Squirrels pitcher in 2012 to record 11 wins, walking one and striking out three. He also matched David Mixon's franchise record for victories in a single season. Mixon recorded 11 wins in 2010.

Richmond poured it on with four runs off right-hander Brandon Moore in the ninth inning. Highlighting the inning were RBI doubles for Mayora, Perez and Hodges. Brown also added a sacrifice-fly.

Perez finished the night with three doubles and three RBIs and Hodges returned to the Squirrels in style with a pair of hits, two RBIs and a run scored.

Right-hander Jake Dunning and left-hander Tom Vessella each worked a scoreless inning of relief to secure the victory. Dunning handled the eighth and Vessella the ninth.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Saturday night at NYSEG Stadium. Richmond RHP Chris Heston (8-5, 2.20) will make the start opposite Binghamton RHP Cory Mazzoni (5-3, 3.45). Pregame coverage will begin on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com at 6:35 PM.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from August 17, 2012


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