EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels' First Week at the Diamond Closes in Style, 5-4

Published on April 21, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels capped a phenomenal opening home stand in dramatic fashion, completing a three-game sweep of the New Britain Rock Cats with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory in front of 2,814 at The Diamond on Wednesday night.

The Squirrels had lost the lead for the first time when the Rock Cats pulled in front with two runs in the seventh inning, and they trailed 4-3 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. The game-winning rally was sparked when right-hander Cole Devries hit Michael Ambort with a breaking ball with one out. Roger Kieschnick then drilled an opposite-field triple into the alley in left-center field. Ambort motored all the way around from first base on the triple to tie the ballgame. A batter later, Andy D'Alessio supplied the game-winning single, pulling it through the right side of the infield to bring in Kieschnick with the winning run. Devries (0-3) was tagged with the loss for New Britain

Darren Ford got the Squirrels off to a quick start against New Britain starter Mike McCardell. Ford slugged his first home run of the season leading off the ballgame offensively for the Squirrels, giving Richmond a 1-0 lead with a drive to straight-away left field.

Just as rapidly, the Rock Cats responded with a run of their own in the top of the second off of Squirrels' starter David Mixon. The right-hander walked Whit Robbins to lead off the inning. Robbins moved around to third on a single from Steve Singleton and scored on a Joe Benson sacrifice fly to tie the ballgame, 1-1.

Ford put the Flying Squirrels back ahead in the bottom of the second when he rifled a single back off the hip of McCardell to score Andy D'Alessio who had doubled with one out in the frame. Richmond pounded out six hits over their first two offensive innings, but settled for a 2-1 advantage.

The Rock Cats drew even and chased Mixon in the sixth, as Estarlin De Los Santos supplied a one-out single. Robbins singled behind him, signaling Mixon's departure as he was replaced by right-hander Daniel Turpen. Turpen hit Juan Portes to load the bases and a wild pitch with Singleton at the plate allowed De Los Santos to stroll in and tie the game, 2-2. Mixon didn't factor in the decision, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Once again, the Flying Squirrels responded quickly, plating another go-ahead run in the bottom of the inning. Kieschnick opened the rally with a single off of McCardell and came home to give the Squirrels the lead back when Jackson Williams doubled behind him. McCardell departed to a no-decision following six innings of work. He was charged with three earned runs on 10 hits.

New Britain attempted to make a winner of McCardell when they briefly grabbed the lead with a two-run uprising in the seventh inning. Turpen began the frame on the mound and conceded back-to-back one-out singles to Danny Lehmann and Yancarlos Ortiz. He was relieved by Jake Stevens, and Stevens conceded two more singles in succession, including a two-run single to De Los Santos to give the Rock Cats the lead.

Rafael Cova nailed down the win and his fourth save of the year with a scoreless inning in the ninth. Right-hander Mitch Lively (1-0) was awarded the victory after he worked a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth, preceding the game-winning rally in the bottom of the inning.

The Flying Squirrels will enjoy a league-wide off day before beginning a three-game road series against the Reading Phillies at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday night at 7:05 PM. LHP Craig Clark (1-1, 3.00) is slated to make the start for Richmond against RHP Joe Blanton (0-0, ---), making a Major League rehabilitation start for Reading.

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Eastern League Stories from April 21, 2010


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