EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Three Home Runs Lift Richmond to Series Victory

Published on June 26, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ERIE, PA - Thomas Neal became the first Flying Squirrel to homer three times in a lone game as Richmond dropped the Erie SeaWolves, 6-3, in 11 innings on Saturday night at Jerry Uht Park.

With the game tied, 3-3, into the 11th inning, Darren Ford sparked Richmond's game-winning rally with a two-out bunt-single off reliever Lester Oliveros. Ford stole second base, and Brandon Crawford blistered a single up the middle to score Ford with the eventual game-winner. Neal's third home run of the evening to left-center field followed and became icing on the cake for Richmond as it put them ahead, 6-3. With the third blast, Neal tied his own franchise record with 5 RBIs in the ballgame. Oliveros (0-1) lost in his Eastern League debut.

Squirrels' left-hander Clayton Tanner got the SeaWolves started in the first inning when he hit Alden Carrithers with his first pitch of the ballgame and followed it up with a walk issued to Cale Iorg. Andy Dirks followed with a single and Rawley Bishop gave Erie the lead with a sacrifice fly to center field. Michael Bertram followed and laced a single to left field to score Iorg for a 2-0 lead.

The SeaWolves added a run against Tanner in the third when Iorg led off with a single. He stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout. Bishop collected his second RBI of the ballgame when he bounced out to second base, scoring Iorg for a 3-0 advantage.

Richmond responded in the fourth as Erie lefty Charlie Furbush walked Crawford to start the inning. Neal followed and belted a two-run home run to left-center field to pull Richmond within a run, 3-2.

Neal was back it again the sixth inning as he led off against Furbush. On a 2-1 pitch, he belted a solo-home run to left-center field, eclipsing his earlier blast and tying the game, 3-3. It was the second time Neal had homered twice in the same game, also accomplishing the feat on April 23rd at Reading.

Furbush recovered to work through the seventh inning. He didn't factor in the decision in his Double-A debut, allowing three runs on eights hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Tanner worked into the eighth inning, where he was called for a balk and was eventually ejected after arguing with first base umpire Adam Hamari. Andy Sisco and Ronnie Ray finished the inning for Tanner, who also didn't factor in the decision. He allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out one. It was the first player ejection of the year for the Squirrels.

Following the 11th-inning rally for Richmond, Rafael Cova came on and shut down the SeaWolves for his second save of the series. Cova punctuated the win with a strike out of Shaun Roof as he earned his 14th save of the year. Jake Stevens (3-1) faced just one batter in the 10th inning, but was credited with the victory for the Squirrels.

The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park. RHP Mike MacDonald (2-6, 4.57) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Thad Weber (4-8, 4.12) for Erie.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from June 26, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central