EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Struck In Ninth By Thunder, 5-4

Published on June 5, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


TRENTON, NJ - The Trenton Thunder staged a two-run rally in the ninth inning to claim a walk-off, 5-4, win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday night at Waterfront Park.

The Squirrels nursed a 4-3 lead to the bottom of the ninth inning and called on closer Rafael Cova to close it out, something he had done 10 times before. Daniel Brewer had other plans, as he crushed an elevated-fast ball from Cova leading off the inning and tied the game with a solo-home run to left field. It marked the first blown-save of the season for Cova. The Thunder weren't done, and after Cova had recorded the first two outs of the inning, Justin Snyder singled to spark the game-winning rally. Cova walked Justin Christian and Austin Krum provided the game-winner with a single to right-center field to plate Snyder. Cova (0-2) was charged with the loss for Richmond.

As they did in game one, the Squirrels jumped on top with a run in the first inning. Trenton starter D.J. Williams walked the first two batters of the ballgame, Skyler Stromsmoe and Clay Timpner. Brandon Crawford bounced into a double play, but Stromsmoe moved to third with two outs. Michael Ambort then coaxed a slow-rolling single back up the middle to score the game's first run and give Richmond a 1-0 lead.

Trenton also followed the script from game one when they tied the game with a run in the third. Snyder doubled with one out against Squirrels' righty Mike MacDonald. An out later, he scored on an RBI single from Krum to tie the ballgame, 1-1.

Brandon Laird helped the Thunder grab the lead for the first time when he doubled off the right-center field wall to open the fourth inning. He advanced to third on a wild-pitch from MacDonald and scored when Jorge Vazquez singled to left-center field for a 2-1 lead.

A lead-off walk from Mitchell and some shoddy defense from the Thunder allowed the Squirrels to plate three runs and take the lead in the sixth inning. Mitchell issued the free-pass to start the inning to Crawford then advanced him to second with an errant throw to first on an attempted pick-off. A passed ball on Austin Romine allowed Crawford to third with nobody out. Ambort then rolled a grounder to the shortstop, Luis Nunez. Nunez threw home, but couldn't get Crawford, who slid around the tag to tie the game, 2-2. Conor Gillaspie bounced into a fielder's choice and took Ambort's place on the bases with one out. Thomas Neal then chopped a ball that Nunez misplayed allowing Gillaspie to be safe at second and Neal to reach first. Jackson Williams then lifted a two-run double to put the Squirrels in front, 4-2. Two of the runs were unearned in the inning.

Mitchell departed following the frame, having conceded four runs - two earned - on four hits. He walked four and struck out six. He didn't factor in the decision.

MacDonald lasted 5 2/3 innings, needing Tony Pena Jr. to record the final out in the sixth. He had allowed two runs on eight hits when left. He walked just one and struck out four. The four runs of support he received were the most he had gotten all season in his 11th start.

The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon at Waterfront Park. RHP Ronnie Ray (0-2, 5.40) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Hector Noesi (1-0, 5.25) for the Thunder.

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Eastern League Stories from June 5, 2010


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