EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Win Marathon Finale, 3-2

Published on June 14, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Nick Liles laced an RBI single to center field that scored Juan Perez with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th, which gave the Richmond Flying Squirrels (32-34)a 3-2 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (22-42) at The Diamond Thursday night. With its second straight walk-off win, Richmond earned a sweep of the three-game series with New Hampshire and matched its longest winning streak of the season at four games.

New Hampshire got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the second. Gabe Jacobo singled to start the inning and he advanced to second base when Richmond starter Mike Kickham issued a one-out walk to Brian Bocock. Two batters later, Ryan Goins drove in Jacobo with an RBI single, but Bocock was caught between second and third on the play and thrown out to end the inning.

The Flying Squirrels knotted the score at 1-1 an inning later when Ryan Cavan belted a solo home run off Fisher Cats starter Chad Jenkins leading off the frame. It was Cavan's second home run in as many nights and fifth of the season. Additionally, it was Cavan's fourth straight game with a run-producing extra-base hit.

Both starters settled down in the middle frames. Jenkins tossed three scoreless frames before exiting the contest after six innings of work. After struggling with his control early, Kickham did not allow a run in his final five innings of work and he left the ballgame with the game still tied after seven innings pitched. The southpaw allowed three hits and issued two walks through the first two innings, but he surrendered just two hits and did not walk a batter over his final five frames.

After neither team scored for a full nine innings, New Hampshire finally snapped the 1-1 tie with a run in the top of the 13th. Richmond reliever Jake Dunning issue a one-out walk to Mike McDade, who was promptly lifted for pinch-runner Brad McElroy. Dunning then plunked Sean Ochinko with an errant pitch, which put runners at first and second. Following a pitching change, Brian Van Kirk advanced the runners with a groundout to third base. Richmond's Edwin Quirarte uncorked a wild pitch and McElroy raced home with the go-ahead run.

Richmond answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Ehire Adrianza singled to start the inning and he advanced to third base on a double from Juan Perez. Following an intentional walk to Johnny Monell, Fisher Cats reliever Fernando Hernandez got Joel Weeks to line out to first base. Cavan delivered a sacrifice fly, which brought home Adrianza with the tying run. After Gary Brown reached on an infield single, Liles came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Liles produced in the clutch situation, which set off a raucous celebration on the right side of the infield as Liels was mobbed by his teammates.

Quirarte (1-0) earned the win for Richmond and Hernandez (0-4) took the loss for the second consecutive night.

The Squirrels will seek their fifth consecutive win when they square off against the Portland Sea Dogs in the opener of a three-game series at The Diamond Friday night. Richmond will send right-hander Justin Fitzgerald (3-5, 4.77) to the mound. Portland will counter with lefty Drake Britton (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM. Tune to Sports Radio 910 for all the live action, beginning with the Flying Squirrels Pre-Game Warm-Up presented by your local Ford dealers at 6:05 PM. Tickets are available and can be purchased at SquirrelsBaseball.com.

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Eastern League Stories from June 14, 2012


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