Five-run seventh inning pushes Flying Squirrels past Yard Goats, 9-6

The Richmond Flying Squirrels erupted for a five-run seventh inning to collect a 9-6 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Park.

The Flying Squirrels (65-61, 32-25), the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, stacked 16 hits against the Yard Goats (53-70, 24-32), the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, their third game in the series with 15 or more hits.

Trailing by two runs in the top of the seventh, the Flying Squirrels piled five runs to capture a 9-6 lead. Ismael Munguia started the scoring with an RBI single and Yoshi Tsutsugo drove in the tying run with a long single to center field.

Later in the inning, Brady Whalen sent the Flying Squirrels in front with a two-RBI single against Alec Bargar (Loss, 0-2) and Victor Bericoto notched an RBI single to give Richmond a 9-6 advantage.

Wil Jensen struck out two batters in a scoreless seventh inning and Ben Madison (Save, 1) struck out three batters over two scoreless innings to secure the Richmond win.

Richmond moved to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Munguia scored from third base on a ground-ball by Tsutsugo.

Jordan Beck evened the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the first with an RBI double.

Hartford scored three runs in the third when Beck notched an RBI double and two runners scored on a wild pitch by Richmond starter Hayden Birdsong to make it a 4-1 lead.

Munguia cut the deficit to two runs in the top of the fourth with a sacrifice fly.

After a leadoff walk in the fifth, Bericoto blasted a run-scoring double and Logan Wyatt tied the game, 4-4, with an RBI single to right field against Hartford starter Case Williams.

With a runner at first and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Drew Romo launched a two-run homer to right field, giving Hartford a 6-4 advantage.

Richmond reliever Mat Olsen (Win, 2-1) set down the Yard Goats in order in a scoreless sixth inning, notching two strikeouts.

The Flying Squirrels are off Monday before starting their final homestand of the season against the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, on Tuesday. Right-hander Ryan Murphy (1-8, 4.32) will start for Richmond opposed by Akron left-hander Will Dion (2-3, 3.03).

On Tuesday, fans can enjoy the beloved game of BINGO on Bingo Night and the first 1,000 fans ages 15 & older will go home with a Vintage Bingo Board T-Shirt presented by Seredni Tire & Auto.

Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.