Late homer lifts Richmond Flying Squirrels

Myles Schroder’s ninth-inning home run propelled the Richmond Flying Squirrels (40-31) to a, 4-3, victory over the Erie SeaWolves (31-40) at Jerry Uht Park on Friday night.  The win snapped a three-game slide for the Squirrels as they won for the first time on their current road trip.

The SeaWolves hurriedly grabbed the lead with a first-inning run against right-hander Austin Fleet.  Jamie Johnson led off the frame with a single to right field.  Fleet allowed him to second with a throwing error on an attempted pick-off.  Johnson scored from there when Jason Krizan lined a double through the left-center field alley.

Richmond ended a 17-inning scoring drought and grabbed the lead with a pair of runs off lefty Kyle Ryan in the fourth.  Ryan started his own problems with a lead-off walk issued to Matt Duffy.  jarrett parker followed and laced an RBI triple to left-center field.  Ryan recovered to strike out both Devin Harris and Ricky Oropesa, but uncorked a wild-pitch to allow Parker to score for a  2-1 lead.

Ryan departed the ballgame after six innings.  He allowed only the damage in the fourth on seven hits.  He picked off three runners, walked two and struck out seven.  He was spared a decision in the ballgame.

Fleet steadied himself after his first-inning troubles and was extremely sharp into the seventh inning.  However, the SeaWolves got to him once there to reclaim the lead, 3-2.  With one out, Ramon Cabrera lined a single into center field.  Corey Jones followed and cracked Fleet’s first pitch for a two-run home run to right field.  His fourth of the season put the SeaWolves back in front.

Fleet worked his longest outing of the season, but didn’t factor in the decision.  He conceded three runs on six hits over seven innings.  He walked one and struck out three.

The Squirrels rallied without a hit to tie the game, 3-3, in the top of the eighth inning.  Right-hander Angel Nesbitt entered in relief and walked the bases loaded with one out.  He then delivered a wild-pitch that allowed Skyler Stromsmoe to score to level the ballgame.

Richmond righty Hunter Strickland worked a perfect eighth inning before Schroder’s blast started the ninth.  His second of the year came off of lefty Kenny Faulk.  It saddled Faulk (1-3) with the defeat.  The solo-shot to left also gave Strickland (1-0) the win – his first of the year.

Right-hander Cody Hall then entered to work the bottom of the ninth inning.  He earned his sixth save of the season, retiring the side in order.  He punctuated the win by striking out the final two batters of the ballgame.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night at Jerry Uht Park.  Richmond LHP Adalberto Mejia (3-5, 5.61) will make the start against Erie RHP Wilson Polacios (4-3, 5.25).  The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmupbegins at 6:35 p.m. on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.