Jonah Arenado smashed his fifth home run of the season and also doubled to lead the Flying Squirrels (54-59) in 5-1 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (54-61) on Wednesday night at The Diamond. Richmond pounded out ten hits – four for extra bases – and used five solid innings from Conner Menez to even the series. The Squirrels and Ponies will wrap up the three-game set on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. Thursday evening in Funnville features In-Your-Face Fireworks and Faith night.
Arenado (2-3, HR, RBI, BB) and Ryan Howard (3-4, RBI, 2B, 3B) guided the Flying Squirrels ten-hit attack in the win. Conner Menez (5-3) lasted five innings and earned the win despite walking five in the effort. and Dillon McNamara (3IP, 2H,0R) and Sam Wolff (IP, 0R, 0H, K) escorted the contest to the finish line.
Menez scuffled with his control dodged traffic in the first inning. After striking out Levi Michael to begin the game, Menez walked the next three batters. Andres Gimenez was the first to reach but was thrown out trying to steal second. Joey Terdoslovich and Thomas Nido followed with walks before Menez flew out Will Toffey to end the inning.
While Binghamton failed to capitalize on the free passes each in the first, Richmond did not. The Squirrels utilized a one-out walk and a triple to take a 1-0 lead. Luigi Rodriguez walked on four pitches and Ryan Howard lined a flyball to centerfield that sailed over the head of Patrick Biondi. The ball rolled all the way to the base of the fence, resulting in the second triple of the year for Howard.
The walks continued for Menez in the second and this time he could not elude trouble Two walks and an infield single loaded the baes for Tomas Nido. The Binghamton catcher lofted a sacrifice fly into centerfield, tying the game, 1-1. Menez limited the scoring to the lone run, but tossed 67 pitches over the first three innings.
Despite the inaccuracies, Menez managed to last five innings to earn his fifth Double-A win. The lefty allowed just the one run on two hits. He added six strikeouts to the career-high-tying five free passes. Menez tossed 96 pitches in the win
Arenado pulled Richmond ahead with an RBI double in the fourth and a solo home run in the sixth. Arenado smashed his fifth homer run of the year off Ponies reliever Daniel Zamora. Binghamton’s starting hurler Harol Gonzalez worked five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits in the loss. Gonzalez (0-5) walked one and struck out three.
Richmond tacked on their fifth run in the bottom of the eighth inning, Consecutive walks set up an RBI base hit to leftfield for Ali Castillo.
The Flying Squirrels continue their six-game homestand with the series finale against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Flying Squirrels RHP Jake McCasland (4-3, 4.47) will make the start in the middle game of the series against RHP Harol Gonzalez (0-4, 10.17). Wednesday at The Diamond is a Wine up Wednesday. Wine specials run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It is also Fredericksburg Community Night. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN
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