Vogelsong helps Richmond stymie Portland, 4-0

Right-handers Ryan Vogelsong and Taylor Rogers combined on a six-hit shutout as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (51-58) blanked the Portland Sea Dogs (54-55), 4-0, in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesdaynight at The Diamond.  Vogelsong made the first MLB rehab appearance in the history of the Flying Squirrels.  The Squirrels have posted back-to-back shutouts and boast 22 consecutive scoreless innings.

Vogelsong (1-0) was sharp in his third minor league tune up.  He earned the win over five innings, blanking the Sea Dogs on five hits – all singles.  He issued one walk, the final batter he faced in the sixth inning, and struck out three.  He threw 64 pitches, 42 of which were strikes.  Vogelsong is expected to make a second MLB rehab start for the Squirrels against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Lollis led off the first inning with a double off Sea Dogs’ right-hander Anthony Ranaudo.  Joe Panik bunted Lollis to third base and Javier Herrera brought in the first run of the night with an RBI groundout.  Richmond led, 1-0, on the manufactured run.

The Squirrels used the long ball to extend their lead in the fifth inning.  Angel Villalona and Adam Duvall each hit massive solo-home runs to left field in the inning.  Villalona led off with his fifth of the year, while Duvall cranked his 10^th of the season with one out.

Richmond manufactured an additional run in the sixth inning for a 4-0 lead.  For the second time in the ballgame, Lollis led off the inning with a double.  His second two-bagger of the night was drilled to left-center field.  He advanced to third on a groundout from Panik and scored on a sacrifice fly of the night from Herrera.

Ranaudo (8-4) was saddled with the loss over 6 2/3 innings.  He was charged with four earned runs on just four hits.  He walked one and struck out seven, remaining winless since June 30^th.

Rogers cleaned up the sixth inning for Vogelsong and had little trouble the rest of the way.  He earned his first save of the season, handling the final four frames.  He allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out three.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night at The Diamond.  Richmond LHP Jack Snodgrass (8-4, 3.71) will make the start against Portland RHP Matt Barnes (5-7, 4.57).  The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Sports Radio 910, SportsRadio910.com and IHeart Radio.