The Richmond Flying Squirrels (2-0) rode strong performances from left-hander Jack Snodgrass and three relievers to post a, 1-0, shutout win over the Bowie Baysox (0-2) at The Diamond on Friday night. Richmond has taken the first two games of the series, each by one run, and delivered their first shutout of the season.
The Squirrels plated the only run of the ballgame against right-hander Elih Villanueva in the second inning. Mac Williamson, Javier Herrera and Devin Harris strung together three consecutive singles to start the inning. After Angel Villalona popped out, Blake Miller made it 1-0 when he grounded into a run-scoring fielder’s choice.
Snodgrass turned in five scoreless innings for the Squirrels, allowing just one hit – a single. He uncharacteristically issued four walks, but worked around each successfully. However, a 37-pitch third inning elevated his pitch count to the point that he exited after five innings. Snodgrass (1-0) earned his franchise-record extending 24th victory as a Squirrel, and first of the season.
Right-hander Stephen Johnson followed Snodgrass into the game, and allowed the first two batters to reach, issuing a walk and allowing a single. However, he quickly rebounded after a visit from pitching coach Steve Kline and mowed down the next three hitters. He struck out all three to strand two runners and keep Richmond in front, 1-0. Johnson tacked on an additional two strikeouts during a scoreless inning in the seventh and recorded five total strikeouts and two scoreless innings in his Double-A debut.
Villanueva (0-1) allowed just the lone run over 5 2/3 innings. He conceded four hits, walked one and struck out three. However, he was doomed to the hard-luck loss – his first.
Lefty Phil McCormick had no trouble in a perfect eighth inning, handing it off to fellow lefty Josh Osich for the ninth. Osich sauntered to his first save of the season, retiring the side in order.
The Richmond bullpen has combined to throw 13 scoreless innings through the first two games, with every member of the bullpen contributing to that string.
Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond on Saturday night. Richmond RHP Kyle Crick (0-0, —) will make the start against Bowie RHP Branden Kline (0-0, –). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup begins at 6:35 p.m. on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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