EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels One-Hit by Johnson as Baysox Grab Opener, 4-2

Published on May 31, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


BOWIE, MD - Despite scoring a pair of runs, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (24-27) were held to one hit and fell, 4-2, to the Bowie Baysox (25-28) on Tuesday night at Prince George's Stadium. The loss was the third consecutive defeat for Richmond, as the Squirrels fell to 1-4 on their current seven-game road trip.

Squirrels' starter Daryl Maday fought off two rallies from the Baysox in the first three innings, but Bowie finally broke through against him in the fourth. Maday issued his first walk of the night to Ronnie Welty with one out in the inning. He moved to second on a ground out, and scored for a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Billy Rowell.

Bowie right-hander Steve Johnson retired the first 12 batters of the ballgame, including Roger Kieschnick after a controversial call opened the third inning. Kieschnick blasted what looked to be a solo-home run inside the right-field foul pole. However, first base umpire Andy Dudones ruled it a foul ball. Kieschnick and manager Dave Machemer argued to no avail, and Kieschnick eventually struck out. It was one of six strikeouts for Johnson through four perfect innings.

Kieschnick and the Squirrels got justice in the fifth, as Johnson walked Justin Christian to open the inning. Two batters later, Kieschnick launched a breaking-ball from Johnson over the right-field wall, giving the Squirrels a 2-1 lead. The drive, easily out, and easily fair, was Kieschnick's third of the season. It was also the first and only hit of the night for Richmond.

The Baysox responded in a hurry in the bottom of the inning, as Xavier Avery launched his first home run of the season. The drive to center field tied the game, 2-2.

Bowie forged back ahead in the sixth, as L.J. Hoes sliced an opposite-field double with two outs. Rowell followed and sent a cue-shot roller to the left of the mound. Nick Noonan charged it and offered a throw to first base that pulled Drew Biery from the bag. Hoes never slowed around third base, and he beat Biery's throw to put Bowie back in front, 3-2. Noonan was charged with a throwing error on the play, making the run unearned to Maday.

Maday returned for the seventh inning, and Pedro Florimon led off with a solo-home run to right field, capping the evening's scoring. Maday (1-4) retired for the night shortly thereafter, saddled with his fourth loss of the season. He conceded four runs - three earned - on a season-high nine hits. He also matched a season-high with seven strikeouts and walked one.

Johnson (4-1) was magnificent throughout, earning the win over eight innings. He allowed two runs on one walk and a lone hit, Kieschnick's two-run blast. He struck out seven, finishing his evening by retiring 10 consecutive batters following Kieschnick's fifth inning home run. It marked just the second time in franchise history that the Squirrels had been one-hit, both times coming on the road.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Prince George's Stadium on Wednesday night. LHP Clayton Tanner (1-5, 4.84) will make the start for the Squirrels against LHP Rick Zagone (1-4, 5.20) for the Baysox.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2011


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