The Trenton Thunder (51-40) scored five runs in the first inning on Saturday night and held on for a 5-3 win over the Flying Squirrels (44-46) at Arm & Hammer Park. The five-run first forced Richmond starting pitcher Chase Johnson from the game early, however, the Richmond bullpen pieced together the remaining 7.1 innings to keep the game within reach. Dylan Davis launched his ninth home run and scored twice to lead the offense. Richmond will conclude the four-game set on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., before returning home to open a three-game series vs. Erie on Monday, July 16. Monday in Funnville is a Bark in the Park night with a live appearance from the K-9 Crew Dog Show presented by VCA Animal Hospitals.
The Squirrels bullpen quartet of Dan Slania (2.1IP, 0H, BB, K), Carlos Diaz (IP, 2H,BB,K) Ryan Halstead (3.0IP, 3H, 0BB, K) and Patrick Ruotolo (IP, 0H,BB,2K) managed to cover the short start for Johnson. Richmond scraped away at the early deficit, but came up short in the effort. Trenton out-hit Richmond 10-7 to take the series lead 2-1 and tie the season series 7-7.
Trenton ambushed Richmond’s starting pitcher Chase Johnson, plating five runs in the first and forcing the Squirrels into the bullpen early. Devyn Bolasky ignited the uprising with a base hit – his seventh of the series. Johnson then walked Billy Flemming in four pitches and unleashed his first of three wild pitches in the inning. Bruce Caldwell followed with a sacrifice fly and Trey Amburgey added a bloop base hit for a 2-0 Trenton lead. Kyle Holder, Jeff Hendrix and Mandy Alvarez all connected on RBI singles leading to the early departure of Johnson. Alvarez’ single occurred on Johnson’s 35 pitch of the inning, leading to his departure. The Squirrels turned to reliver Dan Slania to face the ninth batter of the inning Ryan Lidge. Slania tossed one pitch to retire Lidge and end the inning.
Slania gave the Squirrels a much-needed 2.1 innings out of the ‘pen. Slania kept the game intact, allowing just a walk in the outing. The burly right-hander struck out one and tossed 41 pitches in the effort.
Richmond plugged away at the early deficit, scoring a run in the third and another in the fourth. Ali Castillo put the Squirrels on the board in the third by lining a base hit into right field. Castillo’s single plated Caleb Gindl, who reached on a base hit to start the inning. Dylan Davis brought Richmond to within three, blasting his ninth home run of the season to start the fourth. Davis’ homer made it a 5-2 contest.
King was touched up for one more run in his sixth and final inning. Davis notched his second hit of the game – a leadoff single into right field – and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Aramis Garcia then lashed a single into right field, scoring Davis for a 5-3 tally. King finished the inning with a groundball double play to close out his outing. The righty worked six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits in the win. King (3-2) struck out two and did not walk a batter.
With the Squirrels closing in, Trenton’s bullpen closed the game out with a pair of All-Star relievers. Lefty James Reeves struck out five batters over a pair of scoreless frames and Caleb Frare earned the save by working the ninth. It was the fourth save of the season for the southpaw Frare.
The Flying Squirrels conclude their four-game series and road trip in Trenton on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. RHP Chris Heston will return to the Squirrels for the first time since 2012 to make the start in the absence of Shaun Anderson (Futures Game). Heston (0-0, 0.00) will faceoff against Trenton RHP Trevor Stephan (2-5, 5.26). 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)
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