Detroit Tigers No. 2 prospect Alex Faedo one-upped talented Richmond lefty Conner Menez in a memorable 2-0 pitcher’s duel on Monday at the Diamond. Menez (3-2) struck out nine SeaWolves hitters over seven innings in suffering the tough defeat. Faedo (1-0) also lasted seven frames and earned his first Double-A win. Richmond (45-47) and Erie (44-49) continue the three-frame series on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday in Funnville is a Tip of the Cap Tuesday. The first 1,000 fans (15+) receive a free Green FS Cap Giveaway.
The Squirrels could not muster much of an attack against Faedo and the Erie bullpen combo of Joe Navilhon (IP, H,0BB,K, HD) and closer John Schreiber (IP, BB, K, SV). The Tigers No.2 prospect limited Richmond to just three hits over a season-high seven innings. Faedo retired the final eight batters he faced and stuck out a total of four in the win. The Erie prospect walked one batter and tossed 88 pitches to earn his first Double-A victory.
Richmond’s Aramis Garcia posed the biggest threat for Faedo throughout the contest. Garcia extended his hitting streak to six games with a double in the first inning. He also had a pair of loud flyball outs to deep left field that nearly hit the wall.
Menez set the tone for the night when he retired the side in order in the first inning and worked around a leadoff walk in the second. The lefty punched out the side in the third and tallied five strikeouts over the first five innings.
Erie gathered their first hit of the contest with one out in the fifth inning. After Menez punched out Jake Rogers to start the frame, Chad Sedio rolled a groundball to first base. Aramis Garcia backed up on the ball, fielded and tosses late to Menez covering first base. Menez retired the next two hitters on fly balls to strand the runner.
The SeaWolves snapped the stalemate by manufacturing a run in the top of the sixth inning. Danny Woodrow opened the inning with a base hit to right field. A groundout and stolen base moved Woodrow to third, forcing the Richmond infield in with one out. Daz Cameron then delivered with a base hit passed the pulled in defense, giving Erie a 1-0 lead.
Menez returned for the seventh inning and finished off the outing on his 103 pitch of the night. Menez punched out two more hitters in his final frame, tallying a Double-A best nine on the night. Menez worked seven frames and allowed one run on four hits. He walked one2 to complement the seven strikeouts.
Upon Menez’ departure, Olbis Parra entered the game to begin the eighth inning. Parra allowed one, unearned run in the eighth and tossed a scoreless ninth. Erie’s Sergio Alcantara lined an RBI single into left field to move ahead 2-0.
The Flying Squirrels continue the brief three-game series against Erie on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m., at The Diamond. Richmond right-hander Jack McCasland (2-2, 3.38) is slated to make the start for the Squirrels against SeaWolves LHP Liarvis Breto (2-2, 2.42). Tuesday in Funnville is a Tip of the Cap Tuesday. The first 1,000 fans (15+) will receive a free Summer St. Paddy’s Day Green FS Cap. Tickets and information can be found at www.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN (3884)
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Chris Graham
