Tanner Flirts with Perfection as Squirrels Take Finale, 3-2
May 22, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
READING, PA - Left-hander Clayton Tanner was perfect into the seventh inning, as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (20-22) held on for a, 3-2, series-clinching win over the Reading Phillies (24-18) in front of 6,617 at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Squirrels got on the board first with a two-out rally against R-Phils' right-hander J.C. Ramirez in the second inning. Johnny Monell sparked the uprising, slicing an opposite-field to left field. Skyler Stromsmoe followed with a single to right field to put two aboard. Sharlon Schoop then brought both runners in for a 2-0 lead with a double pulled just fair up the left-field line.
Tanner was sensational, breezing through the first 20 batters of the ballgame. He worked perfectly through 6 2/3 innings, recording 10 ground ball outs and striking out four.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Matt Rizzotti flared a single into shallow-center field, breaking up Tanner's bid for perfection. Tanner then fell behind Cody Overbeck, before Overbeck drilled a 3-1 pitch over the wall in left field, tying the game, 2-2. The blast was Overbeck's league-leading 12th of the season.
Tanner (1-4) departed after seven innings, having conceded two runs on three hits. He walked none, flirted with perfection and struck out four as he earned his first win of the season.
Justin Christian put Tanner back in position for the win when he decked his second home run of the season in the eighth innning. The solo-shot to left field came off of Ramirez and put Richmond back in front, 3-2.
Ramirez (5-3) left after the eighth, doomed to a hard-luck loss. He allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked none and struck out six.
The Squirrels will return home to open a four-game series with the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) at 7:05 PM on Monday night at The Diamond. LHP Ryan Verdugo (2-0, 3.12) will make the start for the Squirrels against LHP Casey Crosby (1-2, 3.79)) for the SeaWolves.
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