Hartford rallies, again, takes down Richmond Flying Squirrels

The Flying Squirrels (27-45) late-inning woes continued on Thursday afternoon as the Hartford Yard Goats (39-31) usurped Richmond, 4-2 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Hartford scored three runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit and take the series two games to one. Richmond starting pitcher Tyler Beede turned in a quality start in the defeat.

Tyler Rogers suffered the loss and had his franchise-record scoreless streaked snapped at 23 2/3 innings. The Squirrels continue the six-game road trip Friday against the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium a7:05 PM.

Richmond returns to The Diamond on Monday, June 27^th with Bark in the Park. The full promotional schedule can be found here.

The Flying Squirrels offense came out swinging for the third consecutive game, pullingahead 1-0 on German Marquez in the first inning. Darrnen Ford reached on aninfield hit and advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt. Hunter Cole then delivered a base hit back through the middle to put Richmond on the board.

Tyler Beede picked up a pair of fine defensive plays in the first inning and needed just eight pitches to set the side down in order. The righty retired the first five batters of the game until Jackson Williams doubled in the second inning.

Hartford threatened Beede in the third inning with German Marquez opening the framewith a double. Beede then walked Raimel Tapia with one out but Beede came back with a pair of strikeouts to keep the 1-0 lead intact. Beede used 48 pitches through the first three innings.

The Squirrels 1-0 lead lasted until Rosell Herrera launched a solo home run over the right field wall to open the fourth inning. Jackson Williams then delivered a one-out single and Beede walked Michael Benjamin to put two runners aboard. Beede then escaped as he struck out Zach Osborn to end the inning.

Both starters turned in similar lines and each earned a no decision. Marquez hurled six innings and allowed the one run on four hits with seven strikeouts. Therighty used 98 pitches in his 14^th start of the season.  Beede also turned in six innings of one-run baseball. The Giants top-pitching prospect picked up seven strikeouts and walked three in a no decision.

The Squirrels regained the lead, albeit briefly, in the top of the seventh inning against reliever Jerry Vasto. Ali Castillo connected on a double and scored on a base hit off the bat of Darren Ford to pull ahead, 2-1. Ford had three of the six Richmond hits.

Hartford came roaring back with three consecutive hits off of Squirrels reliever Tyler Rogers. Zach Osborne led off with a base hit and moved to third on Raimel Tapia’s base hit into center field. Pat Valaika then delivered the game-changing blow with a double down the right field line to take a 3-2 lead. The runs allowed by Rogers (1-1) were the first earned runs this season and ended his  23 2/3 innings scoreless streak.

Yard Goats closer Matt Carasiti pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 20^th save of the season.

The Squirrels continue the six-game road trip Friday against the B-Mets at NYSEG Stadium at 7:05 PM.  RHP Kyle Crick is scheduled to start for the Squirrels against B-Mets RGP Mickey Jannis. Richmond returns to The Diamond on Monday, June 24^th withBark in the Park. .  The full promotional schedule can befound here. Season tickets, mini plans, and group packages are currently available by contacting the box office at 804-359-FUNN or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.