EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Fall Flat in Opener, Shutout By Sea Dogs, 6-0

June 7, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Portland right-hander Stephen Fife carried a no-hit bit through 6 1/3 innings, and the Sea Dogs (20-36) pounded three home runs as they strolled past the Richmond Flying Squirrels (27-30), 6-0, in front of 4,050 at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night. Richmond was shutout for the fifth time on the year as the club fell to 8-19 on the road.

A bad break for Squirrels' starter Clayton Tanner led to a quick 2-0 lead for Portland after the first inning. The Sea Dogs lead-off batter, Jeremy Hazelbaker, was fortunate to reach on a swinging-bunt single to start the inning. With two outs in the frame and Hazelbaker at third base, Tanner fell behind Chih-Hsien Chiang 2-0. Chiang then decked a Tanner fastball over the right-center wall for a 2-0 advantage. It was the 10th home run of the season for the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week.

The Sea Dogs again used the long-ball to stretch their lead in the third inning. Tanner recorded the first two outs of the inning by way of strikeout, but Alex Hassan crunched a 3-2 pitch from Tanner over the Maine Monster in left field. The solo-shot was Hassan's fifth of the year and gave Portland a 3-0 lead.

With Oscar Tejeda aboard in the fifth inning, Jorge Padron belted the third Sea Dogs' home run off of Tanner, sending his fourth of the season to right field. The blast put Portland in front, 5-0.

Tanner (1-6) departed to the loss shortly after Padron's home run. The lefty worked 4 1/3 innings, conceding five earned runs on six hits. He walked one, struck out three and endured his sixth loss of the season.

Justin Christian finally ended Fife's no-hit bid with one out in the seventh inning, sending a chopper over the head of third baseman Will Middlebrooks. It was the final batter Fife (6-3) faced, as he left to the win after 6 1/3 sterling innings. He walked one and struck out seven in his lengthiest outing of the season.

The Squirrels' bullpen again sparkled in defeat. Right-hander Henry Sosa made his Richmond debut and struck out all five batters that he faced, setting aside all five on swings and misses. Left-hander Alex Hinshaw followed Sosa and struck out the first two batters that he faced, running the string of consecutive strikeouts to seven. The Sea Dogs did cap the scoring with a run against Hinshaw in the eighth inning.

Portland used a pair of relievers to complete the shutout of the Squirrels. Kyle Fernandes turned in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief before right-hander Eammon Portice closed the door with a perfect ninth.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Hadlock Field on Wednesday night. The Squirrels will throw LHP Ryan Verdugo (3-1, 2.50) against RHP Brock Huntzinger (3-4, 7.11) for the Sea Dogs.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics



Eastern League Stories from June 7, 2011


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