Hartford gets Squirrels goat late, rallies for W

The Hartford Yard Goats (38-31) scored five run over the final two innings to stun the Squirrels (27-44) 7-6 on Wednesday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Richmond pounded our 14 hits in the contest and scored four runs in the first inning but could not hang on. Hunter Cole homered for the second consecutive game and Matt Gage turned in a quality start in the defeat.

The Squirrels continue the six-game road trip Thursday against the Hartford Yard Goats in New Hampshire at 1:35 PM. Richmond returns to The Diamond on Monday, June 27^th with Bark in the Park. The full promotional schedule can be found here.

Richmond ambushed Yard Goats pitcher Zach Jemiola in the first inning and sent nine men to the plate in the frame. Christian Arroyo, Ryder Jones and Carlos Moncrief all singled with one out to load the bases. Hunter Cole then drilled a two-run double to give Richmond a 2-0 advantage. Jemiola picked up the second out of the inning on a line drive back to the mound and then hit Ali Castillo with a pitch to load the bases again. Steve Lerud followed with a two-run base hit to left field for a 4-0 Richmond lead. Jemiola used 40 pitches in the first inning

Hartford managed to chip away at the 4-0 deficit off of Richmond starter Matt Gage. Ryan McMahon snapped an 0-22 slump with a base hit to start the second inning and scored on a double to left centerfield from Correll Prime. Hartford cut thelead in half, 4-2 with double from David Dahl and RBI single off the bat ofRosell Herrera.

Jemiola continued to struggle as the Squirrels offense forced him from the game in the fifth inning. Steve Lerud doubled to start the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly to pull the Squirrels ahead 5-2. Hunter Cole added another run with his seventh home run of the season, a solo blast to right field. Jemiola carried on into the fifth until Steve Lerud connected on his third hit of the game. Jemiola lasted 4 2/3 innings an allowed six runs on 12 hits while earning a no decision.

Gage maneuvered through six innings and departed with an 6-2 lead. The lefty allowed just two runs on five hits but earned a no decision in the outing. Gage tossed 102 pitches and was replaced by Preston Claiborne to start the seventh inning. Claiborne walked the first batter Zach Osborne and allowed a base hit to Raimel Tapia. Claiborne then picked up a fly out to center and a strikeout to nearly get out of the inning. Rosell Herrera then followed with a three-run homer to move the Yard Goats to within one, 6-5.

Tyler Miznko suffered the loss for Richmond by allowing the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning. Pinch-hitter Dylan Thomas tied the gaem with a  double and scored on a sacrifice fly to put Hartford on top for the first time in the contest. Matt Carasiti then entered and hurled a scoreless ninth to earn his 19^th save of the year.

The Squirrels continue the six-game road trip Thursday against the Hartford Yard Goats in New Hampshire at 1:35 PM.  RHP Tyler Beede is schedule to make the start against Hartford RHP German Marquez. Richmond returns to The Diamond on Monday, June 24^th with Bark in the Park.