EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Win Gives Squirrels First Series Victory

Published on April 17, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Pitching and defense continued to carry the day for the Richmond Flying Squirrels as they downed the Reading Phillies, 4-1, on Saturday night at The Diamond. The victory was their third consecutive over Reading, giving Richmond its first series victory in franchise history.

For the third consecutive ballgame, the Flying Squirrels jumped out front first, claiming the lead in the third inning. Andy D'Alessio supplied the first run of the night when he blasted his first home run of the season to right-center field off of R-Phils' starter Drew Naylor and Richmond led, 1-0.

Richmond starter Craig Clark (1-0) turned in the third consecutive dominant starting pitching performance, tossing five scoreless innings in his first home outing of the season. He earned his first Double-A victory, allowing just three hits, walking two and striking out three.

The Flying Squirrels stretched their advantage in the sixth, when an error on Reading third baseman Brandon Pinckney opened the door for a three-run inning. With Brandon Crawford and Thomas Neal already aboard, Conor Gillaspie lifted a pop-foul that Pinckney dropped to give Gillaspie another chance. He made the most of it, lining an RBI single to right field to score Crawford. A throwing error on right fielder Tagg Bozied on the play allowed Neal to come home and moved Gillaspie to third. Two batters later, D'Alessio was heard from again, singling to bring in Gillaspie and push the Squirrels in front, 4-0.

Naylor (0-1) absorbed the sloppy defense in the sixth and ultimately the loss for Reading. He worked six innings, allowing four runs, three of which were unearned.

Right-hander Ronnie Ray relieved Clark and worked a scoreless sixth inning before running into trouble in the seventh. He conceded four consecutive base hits and the only Reading run before departed with nobody out and the bases loaded. Right-hander Daniel Turpen came to the rescue, coming out the pen to retire the next three hitters without allowing further damage, and Richmond led, 4-1.

Turpen tacked on a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth and handed it off to right-hander Craig Whitaker, who rolled three outs in succession in the ninth for his first save of the season.

The finale of the four-game series is scheduled for 2:05 PM on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. RHP Mike MacDonald (0-0, 0.90) will make the start for the Flying Squirrels against RHP Vance Morley (0-2, 8.68) for Reading.

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Eastern League Stories from April 17, 2010


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