EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Survive B-Mets in Opener, 3-2

Published on May 24, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


BINGHAMTON, NY - The Richmond Flying Squirrels sneaked past the Binghamton Mets, 3-2, in the opener of a four-game series in front of 1,580 at NYSEG Stadium on Monday night.

Thomas Neal put the Squirrels ahead quickly in the top of the first inning. With two outs, he hammered his third home run of the season to left-center field off of B-Mets' left-hander Mike Antonini and Richmond led, 1-0.

Antonini settled in nicely, but Richmond was able to tack on a run against him in the sixth. Neal supplied the spark, singling with one out. He was pushed to third when Clay Timpner bounced a ground-rule double over the wall in left-center field. Juan Ciriaco then sent a sacrifice fly to right field bringing in Neal for a 2-0 advantage.

Squirrels' starter David Mixon was outstanding through five innings, and had shut out the B-Mets on one hit. However, he seemingly ran out of steam in the sixth, issuing a one-out walk to Luis Hernandez. He struck out Nick Evans, but each of the next three hitters recorded a single. Marshall Hubbard singled to put runners at the corners, and Mike Nickeas brought home Hernandez with a single to left field. Carlos Guzman followed and laced a single into right-center field to tie the game, 2-2.

Mixon departed following Guzman's single and Craig Whitaker cleaned up the sixth. Mixon didn't factor in the decision, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing the two runs on four hits. Antonini left after the sixth and also didn't earn a decision. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out six.

Brandon Crawford delivered the lead back to the Squirrels as he led off the eighth inning against right-hander Josh Stinson. Crawford sent an opposite-field home run to left field, his fifth home run of the season, giving Richmond a 3-2 lead. Stinson (2-1) endured the loss for Binghamton.

Left-hander Jake Stevens had worked the seventh inning for Richmond, and he recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning, although he did allow a double to Nick Evans in the frame. Rafael Cova entered to record the final out in the inning, flying out Guzman to end the threat. Stevens (1-1) was awarded the win for Richmond.

Cova continued and worked around an inning-opening single in the ninth to close out the win, recording his ninth save of the season. It marked the first save since May 7th for Cova.

Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for 6:35 PM on Tuesday night at NYSEG Stadium. LHP Craig Clark (2-2, 3.46) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Eddie Kunz (3-2, 6.21) for the B-Mets.

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Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2010


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