The Flying Squirrels accomplished a feat on Thursday that no other team had been able to in 2016. Richmond (48-69) took down the previously undefeated Chance Adams and avoided the series sweep with a 7-2 victory over the Thunder at The Diamond. Trenton’s Adams entered the game with a 13-0 record on the year, but was bested by the Squirrels and Andrew Suarez. Suarez earned the win and allowed just one run and seven hits over six innings of work. Christian Arroyo and C.J Hinojosa each provided key, two-run hits to send Richmond to the win in front of 8,794 fans.
Despite earning the win, Richmond lefty Andrew Suarez was under duress early in the first inning. Tyler Wade and Dustin Fowler kicked off the game with a single and hit-by-pitch. Suarez navigated around the early issues and picked up a double play to end the threat. Trenton came right back in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead thanks to a leadoff double by Abiatal Avelino. Mark Payton then advanced Avelino with a sacrifice bunt and Dante Bichette Jr. brought him home via a fly ball to center field.
Trenton righty Chance Adams entered the contest without a loss, and needed just eight pitches to retire the side in the first inning. Adams’ defense faltered behind him in the second, allowing the Squirrels to take the lead, 2-1. Darren Ford reached on an error with one out and advanced to second via an infield base hit. Christian Arroyo pushed both runners into scoring position on a tapper back to the mound and C.J. Hinojosa delivered a two-run base hit to right to grab the lead. Adams brushed off the unearned runs and came back to set the side down in order in the fourth.
Suarez was asked to work around baserunners throughout most of the night. He stranded a pair on base in the third and another in the fourth. Trenton threatened again with two runners in the fifth, but Suarez punched out Dustin Fowler and Miguel Andujar to end the inning. Suarez needed 74 pitches to get through the first five innings.
Ahead 2-1, the Squirrels turned the fifth inning into a nightmare for the nearly perfect Adams. Steve Lerud ignited the rally with a base hit to left field and Adams lost control to the next two hitters, walking Darren Ford and Steven Duggar. Christian Arroyo then delivered a two-run single, lining a soft shot into shallow right field. Adams did not aid his own cause when the next hitter, C.J. Hinojosa, tapped the ball back the mound. Adams,attempting to turn a double play, tossed the ball into center field. The error allowed Duggar to score and gave Richmond a 5-1 lead. The Squirrels sent eight men to the plat in the inning against Adams and Tyler Horan dealt the finalblow, lining a base hit down the left field line for a 7-1 lead. Horan’s single cut short the outing for Adams and Trenton turned to reliever Mark Montgomery to end the inning. Adams (8-1) allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits in his first defeat of the year
The seven runs were enough for Suarez as the lefty lasted six innings and departed with a 7-1 lead. Suarez lowered his ERA to 4.19 and allowed just the one run over six innings of work. The lefty has won his past four decisions, going back to July 18th. Carlos Alvarado replaced Suarez and tossed a 1-203 seventh inning before handing the ball to Giants rehabbing southpaw Josh Osich. Trenton scratched across a run on Osich, collecting a hit batter, walk and infield single. Osich was removed with the bases loaded and two outs after throwing 18 pitches in the outing. Rodolfo Martinez entered the game and hit the first batter he faced to force in the Thunder’s second run of the game. Martinez finished off the inning and contest, tossing a scoreless ninth to close out the game. The win allowed Richmond to avoid the series sweep
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Chris Graham
