EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Stunned by Cats in 10, 4-3

Published on August 15, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


New Britain, CT - Down three runs and down to their final strike in the bottom of the ninth inning, the New Britain Rock Cats (67-56) rallied for a stunning, 4-3, victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (61-62) at New Britain Stadium on Wednesday night.

With the Squirrels leading 3-0, right-handed closer Brett Bochy came on looking for his 15th save in the ninth. Instead, he found disaster. Bochy got the first two outs, but then lost a lengthy battle with Chris Bolabello, who singled to left field. Joe Benson followed with a single, bringing Deibinson Romero to the plate representing the tying run. He unloaded on Bochy's first-pitch fastball, sending it over the left-field wall to tie the ballgame, 3-3. It was Romero's second home run of the series and 18th of the year. Bochy was charged with his seventh blown save of the year.

The Rock Cats hurriedly finished the Squirrels off in the 10th inning, as Nate Hanson singled to start the inning against lefty Tom Vessella. Hanson was pinch-ran for, and Estarlin De Los Santos was bunted to second by James Beresford. Aaron Hicks singled and Chris Herrmann walked to load the bases. Oswaldo Arcia delivered the game-winner, a softly-struck chopper through a drawn-in infield. De Los Santos scored the winning run as Arcia was mobbed in short-right field. Vessella (3-3) was saddled with the loss, his third of the season.

Right-handers Justin Fitzgerald and B.J. Hermsen traded scoreless innings through the first four frames of the ballgame. However, the Squirrels broke through first in the top of the fifth inning. Johnny Monell led off with a double to left-center field and Luke Anders followed with a single to right field to put runners at the corners. Ehire Adrianza cracked a single back off of Hermsen on the hill for an infield-single. The Squirrels had the bases loaded with nobody out. They settled for a lone run on an RBI single from Wendell Fairley, and led, 1-0.

Hermsen (10-6) finished the inning on the hill but then called it a night after five innings. He was charged with the lone run on five hits, walked none and struck out four. Hermsen was foiled in his bid to win for a sixth consecutive start, and was saved a decision by the late New Britain uprising.

The Squirrels gave Fitzgerald some breathing room with a pair of runs against right-hander Dakota Watts in the eighth inning. Gary Brown led off and cracked a double to center field. Nick Liles moved him over to third base with a groundout and Juan Perez walked to put runners at the corners. Mark Minicozzi struck out, but Brown scored on a wild-pitch. Monell then sprayed an RBI single to left field to plate Perez for a 3-0 lead.

Fitzgerald was denied a win despite eight sterling innings. He shut out the Rock Cats on four hits, not allowing a hit after the third inning. He retired the last 14 batters that he faced, allowing just four singles. He walked none and struck out six.

Left-hander Jose Gonzalez (2-1) worked two scoreless innings for the win, retiring all six batters that he faced in the ninth and 10th innings. The loss marked the first time the Squirrels had been defeated in extra-innings since May. The Squirrels are still a league-best 13-3 in extra-inning games this season.

The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Thursday night at New Britain Stadium. Richmond LHP Chris Gloor (2-4, 2.38) will make the start opposite New Britain LHP Andrew Albers (4-2, 3.52). Pregame coverage will begin on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com at 6:35 PM.

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Eastern League Stories from August 15, 2012


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