Richmond (2-5) had runners on base in every inning on Wednesday night but dropped the series finale, 6-4, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
Richmond lost a one-run lead in the sixth inning on a pinch-hit three-run homer from Christian Marrero. The Squirrels had opportunities throughout the game but stranded 11 runners in the defeat. The loss gives Reading the series win, 2-1. Richmond will return home for their Opening Night at The Diamondon Thursday at 6:35 PM with Hall of Fame Running Back Jerome Bettis throwing out the first pitch.
Reading once again jumped out to an early lead with a crooked number in the first. With one out, J.P. Crawford cranked a home run to right field for a 1-0 lead. Jorge Alfaro followed with a single and Dylan Cozens doubled to put runners on second and third. A wild pitch promptly scored Alfaro from third. Harold Martinez added a base hit to center off starter Beede for a 3-0 advantage. Beede, making his second start of the season, managed to navigate through the lineup from there on out despite runners aboard in four of the five innings worked.
The Squirrels quickly pulled to within a run off Reading starter Ben Lively in the top of the second inning. Hunter Cole reached on a single to left field andscored on a booming double to right centerfield off the bat of Ryder Jones.Rando Moreno brought in Jones on a ground out to cut the deficit to 3-2.
From there on out, Lively also managed to get through some sticky situations. Lively collected nine strikeouts but allowed runners on base in each of his five innings. Lively allowed the two runs on six hits and walked just one. Ulises Joaquin entered for Lively and gave up the lead with a pair of runs allowed in the sixth. Matt Winn and Rando Moreno opened the frame with a pair of base hits. Myles Schroder then drilled a base hit to right to score two and give the Squirrels a 4-3 edge. However, the Richmond lead was a brief, as Reading pulled back ahead off the Richmond pen in the sixth. Pedro Rodriquez relieved Beede to began the inning and allowed a pair of singles to put two runners aboard. Pinch-hitter Christian Marrero then drilled a three-run homer over the right field wall to take the lead for good, 6-4.
Joaquin (1-0) was granted the win for Reading despite allowing two runs. Pedro Rodriguez was slapped with the loss and allowed three runs over two innings of work.
The Flying Squirrels 2016 home schedule begins Thursday April 14th at 6:35 PM against the Altoona Curve with Hall of Fame Running Back Jerome Bettis throwing out the first pitch. LHP Adallberto Mejia will start for Richmond against Altoona RHP Clay Holmes.
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.
Share
Contributors
