Squirrels Swept out of the Rubber City, 3-2
Published on May 20, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
Akron, OH - The Akron Aeros (26-14) completed a three-game sweep of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (20-23) with a, 3-2, victory in front of 3,041 at Canal Park on Sunday afternoon. It marks the first time the Squirrels have been swept this season. Richmond also has now equaled their longest losing-skid of the season at three games.
The Aeros once again got out to a quick start, plating a run on four straight hits to start the first inning. Richmond right-hander Craig Westcott surrendered back-to-back singles to Tim Fedroff and Ben Copeland to start the inning. Fedroff was thrown out trying to go first-to-third on Copeland's single to right field, but Copeland took second on the throw. He scored from there when Adam Abraham lifted a double off the wall in center field. Squirrels' center fielder Gary Brown nearly made the catch on the ball as he crashed into the center-field fence. Brown was unharmed on the play, but the Aeros took a 1-0 lead.
The Squirrels had chances against Akron lefty T.J. McFarland through the first three innings, but couldn't cash in. They finally broke through with a run in the fourth to tie the game, 1-1. Juan Perez singled through the hole on the left-side of the infield with one out. He promptly stole second base and scored when Johnny Monell cracked his second single of the day to right field.
Akron wasted no time grabbing the lead back, picking up their own run in the fourth off of Westcott. Westcott hit Thomas Neal to start the inning, and Neal stole second base. Two batters later, David Stoneburner cracked a single into center field to bring in Neal for a 2-1 lead.
The Aeros tacked a run onto to their lead in the fifth inning. Copeland led off and looped a double down the left-field line. Abraham grounded out to advance Copeland to third base, and Neal delivered an RBI single to put Akron in front, 3-1.
Westcott (3-4) turned in a quality-start over six innings, but took the loss. He was charged with three earned runs on 10 hits, walked three and struck out two.
McFarland (8-1) surrendered 12 hits through seven innings of work, but allowed Richmond just one run. He earned his league-best eighth win of the season, walking none and striking out five. McFarland rolled four double-plays to aid his effort, and the Squirrels stranded six runners on base during his time on the mound.
Right-hander Daryl Maday worked two scoreless innings of relief behind Westcott to extend his scoreless-innings string to 13 1/3. Akron right-hander Bryan Price held off the Squirrels in the eighth inning and returned for the ninth. Monell led off with a solo-home run to right field, slicing the deficit to a lone run, but Richmond got no further. Price finished off the win, earning his second save of the season.
The Squirrels travel to Bowie, MD, to open a four-game series with the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) on Monday night at Prince George's Stadium at 7:05 PM. Richmond LHP Jason Stevenson (1-4, 5.82) will start the opener against Bowie LHP Cole McCurry (0-6, 6.23). Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.
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