For the second consecutive night, the Flying Squirrels (44-45) and Trenton Thunder (50-40) went into extra innings at Arm & Hammer Park. After losing in ten innings on Thursday, Richmond responded with a ten inning, 7-6 win on Friday to even the series. CJ Hinojosa, Dylan Davis and Aramis Garcia all collected RBI singles in the extra frame and Sam Wolff stranded the tying and winning runs on base to earn his second save of the year. Davis also had three hits in the win. The four-game series continues on Saturday at 7 p.m., in Trenton. Richmond returns to Funnville on Monday for a three-game series against the Erie SeaWolves. Monday is a Bark in the Park night with a live appearance from the K-9 Crew Dog Show, presented by VCA Animal Hospitals.
Tied 4-4 entering the tenth, Richmond unloaded for three runs in the extra stanza. CJ Hinojosa lined a base hit into right for the first run, plating the gifted runner Matt Lipka. Hinojosa then stole second base and came around to score on Davis’ third hit of the game – a looped single into left field. Aramis Garcia added an RBI single up the right field line for a 7-6 lead.
The Thunder responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the tenth inning, however, closer Sam Wolff managed to shut the door with tying and winning runs on base. Trey Amburgey lined a single into centerfield to start the inning, plating the gifted runner to make it 7-5. With one out, Billy Flemming and Gosuke Katoh each worked a walk to load the bases. After Jeff Hendrix lofted a sacrifice fly to center to pull Trenton to within a run (7-6) Wolff then punched out Wendell Rijo to end game and earn his second save of the year.
Squirrels reliever Carlos Diaz (1-0) earned his first win of the year by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
Richmond was in control of the contest until Trenton erased a three-run Richmond lead to tie the game in the bottom off the eighth inning. Former Thunder pitcher Dillon McNamara was touched up for three runs in the inning, starting with a leadoff double from Amburgey. Bruce Caldwell followed with a single and with one out Katoh racked a RBI double out to right centerfield. Jeff Hendrix tied the game (4-4) with a line drive single into center field
The Squirrels opened a 2-0 lead by manufacturing a pair of runs in the third inning. Jeff Arnold worked a walk to begin the rally and Matt Lipka followed with a pushed up the first base line. CJ Hinojosa then executed a sacrifice bunt that Trenton hurler Ryan Bollinger fielded. Bollinger spiked the throw to first base, loading the bases with no outs. Ali Castillo stepped up and gave Richmond a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to right field. Arnold scored on the fly and Lipka took third, placing runners at the corners. With Ryan Howard at the plate, Bollinger sent a pickoff throw to first base, appearing to have Hinojosa caught off first, Lipka broke for home and both runners ended up safe for a 2-0 Richmond lead.
The Thunder eventually pushed across a run off Hill in the bottom of the fifth inning. Second baseman Wendel Rijo led off the frame with double up the left field line. Rijo advanced to third on a groundout and scored when Bolasky connected on his third hit of the night. Bolasky’s RBI single cut the Richmond lead in half, 2-1.
Bollinger lasted six innings and allowed the three runs on five hits in the no-decision. The lefty punched out nine batters, one shy of his career high, and walked just one.
Hill also tossed six innings and earned a no-decision. The veteran allowed just one run in his fourth start in a Squirrels uniform. The righty mostly negated eight hits thanks in part to three double plays turned. Hill stuck out four, walked one and tossed 81 pitches.
After allowing the two runs, Bollinger went on to retire the next nine Richmond batters. The lefty punched out the side in the fourth inning and used nine pitches to retire the side in the fifth. Ali Castillo disrupted the stretch with a double and Dylan Davis brought him home with a two-bagger up the left field line, moving Richmond ahead, 3-1.
The Flying Squirrels continue their four-game series in Trenton with game three on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Squirrels RHP Chase Johnson (0-1, 2.45) will make the start for Richmond against Trenton RHP Michael King (2-2, 2.17). Richmond returns to Funnville on Monday for a three-game series against the Erie SeaWolves. Monday is a Bark in the Park night with a live appearance from the K-9 Crew Dog Show! Tickets and information can be found at www.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN (3884)
Share
Contributors
