Dormant for most of the afternoon, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (12-30) offense erupted in the seventh and eighth innings in a 6-5 win over Erie (17-25) on Sunday afternoon.
Erie put the go-ahead runners on in the top of the ninth but Tyler Rogers closed the door with a game-ending double play to earn his first save of the season. Richmond plated two runs in the seventh on a home run from Hunter Cole and took the lead with three more runs in the eight. Rando Moreno tied the game with a double and Austin Slater gave Richmond the lead with a triple to center. Richmond begins an eight-game road trip to Binghamton and Erie on Monday evening at 6:35 PM. Right-hander Kyle Crick is scheduled to start for Richmond against B-Mets RHP Mickey Jannis. The Squirrels will return to The Diamond on Tuesday, May 31st with a Silver Squirrels Night. The full promotional schedule can be found here.
The Squirrels momentum form Saturday night did not immediately carry over to open Sunday’s affair. Tyler Beede made the start and struggled to find his command early on by walking the first hitter on four pitchers. Harold Castro followed for Erie with a single and JaCoby Jones connected on a double for a 1-0 lead. Beede quickly regained control and retired the next three hitters that included an RBI groundout for a 2-0 SeaWolves edge.
Erie rolled behind starter Cory Riordan in the series finale. Riordan did not allow a hit through the first three innings and faced just two over the minimum after four frame.The SeaWolves provided the righty with a 4-0 lead after hoisting up apair of runs in the top of the third. Harold Castro singled to open up the third and with two outs Corey Jones delivered a base hit. Connor Harrell made it a 3-0 game on an RBI single and an error allowed the inning to continue and load the bases. Dominic Ficociello then added to the woes, bringing in a run with an infield single for a 4-0 lead.
From there on, Beede settled in and retired eight consecutive batters until Fiocociello doubled with one out in the sixth. Beede worked around the hit and set down the final five hitters faced. Beede hurled seven innings and allowed four runs (three earned ) on eight hits with three strikeouts in the no-decision Riordan also cruised through the middle innings until he hit a snag in the bottom of the seventh. Austin Slater reached on a base hit and Hunter Cole slammed a home run for the second consecutive game pull the Squirrels to within two, 4-2. Riordan lasted seven innings and allowed three hits and two runs in a no-decision. He departed with a 4-2 lead.
With Riordan out of the game, Richmond grabbed the lead off reliever Ruben Alaniz with a four-run eighth inning. Ricky Oropesa worked a walk to begin the rally and Jeff Arnold followed with a single. Alniz then picked up a fielder’s choice and strikeout but yilelde a game-tying double to Rando Moreno. Austin Slater then pulled the Squirrels ahead for the first time in the contest with a booming double to center field. Slater came around on an infield single for a 6-4 lead.
Phil McCormick made his return to Richmond form Sacramento with a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win. Jake Smith entered to try and close the door but yielded a walk and single with one out. Tyler Rogers then entered and picked up a game-ending double play to earn the save.
Richmond begins an eight-game sojourn in Binghamton on Monday evening at 6:35 PM. Right-hander Kyle Crick is scheduled to start for Richmond against B-Mets RHP Mickey Jannis. The Squirrels will return to The Diamond on Tuesday,
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Chris Graham
