EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Slide Hits Six in Reading, 7-4

Published on June 27, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


Reading (Baseballtown), PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels' (36-42) season-high losing-streak continued with a, 7-4, defeat at the hands of the Reading Phillies (44-33) on Wednesday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Squirrels sixth consecutive defeat also marked the eighth consecutive ballgame started by right-hander Justin Fitzgerald that they have dropped

Fitzgerald got off to a nearly disastrous start in the first inning, allowing a lead-off single to Jiwan James. He then walked Cesar Hernandez and conceded an opposite-field single to Brandon Tripp to load the bases with nobody out. Darin Ruf gave Reading an early 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly, but Fitzgerald calmed down to strike out the next two hitters and keep it a one-run game after one inning.

The Squirrels responded against Reading right-hander Julio Rodriguez in the top of the second inning. With the wind gusting out to right field, Richmond took advantage. Mark Minicozzi led off and tied the game with a towering-home run to right-center field. Two batters later, with the game tied, Ryan Cavan sent a rocket to the Pool Pavilion in right field. Cavan's team-leading eighth home run of the season gave the Squirrels a 2-1 lead.

It was short-lived, as the R-Phils used the long-ball to reclaim in the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Hernandez opened the inning with a single off of Fitzgerald. Tripp followed and laced a low-flying liner over the right-field wall for a 3-2 lead.

Fitzgerald and the Richmond defense combined to create a disastrous scenario for the Squirrels in the fifth inning. Fitzgerald issued a lead-off walk to James. Hernandez dropped a sacrifice bunt, but Johnny Monell threw wildly past first base, allowing Hernandez to reach. Fitzgerald then walked Tripp to load the bases with nobody out. Fitzgerald was then ejected for arguing the call on ball four. The Squirrels were forced to the bullpen for right-hander Austin Fleet. Fleet walked Ruf with the bases full to force in a run. The Squirrels committed their second error in the inning to allow a second run to score in the inning. A batter later, Leandro Castro cracked his third two-run double of the series to extend the Reading lead to 7-2.

Fitzgerald (3-6) took the loss over four innings plus three batters. He was charged with six runs - five earned - on four hits. He matched his career-high with five walks, struck out five and was ejected for the first time this season.

Rodriguez (5-1) stuck around into the seventh inning. He walked the first two batters of the inning and then called it day after six-plus innings. Both runners scored for the Squirrels, with both runs charged to Rodriguez. His final line read: six innings, four hits, four earned runs, four walks and six strikeouts. He earned the win, his fifth of the season.

Right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla was the bridge man, working two scoreless innings of relief. Right-hander Justin Friend fired a scoreless ninth for his 14th save of the season. Friend now holds a share of the league-lead for saves.

Game three of the four-game series in Baseballtown is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Richmond LHP Chris Gloor (1-1, 2.97) will oppose Reading RHP Jordan Whatcott (1-0, 2.65). Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com .

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Eastern League Stories from June 27, 2012


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