Taylor made: Squirrels newcomer deals series win

Squirrels right-hander Cory Taylor twirled seven shutout innings as Richmond (50-70) blanked Bowie (51-69) 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. Taylor, in just his second Double-A start, baffled Bowie and struck out eight batters throughout the afternoon. Squirrels third baseman Christian Arroyo collected three hits, including an RBI single in the winning effort. The win closed out the season series between Richmond and Bowie, with the Squirrels prevailing 11-9 on the year. Preston Claiborne finished the game to earn his first save of the season.

After being held to just one run over 11 innings on Saturday night, the Squirrels matched that total in the first inning on Sunday. Facing lefty starter John Means, Steven Duggar singled to begin the bottom of the first, extending his hitting streak to six consecutive games. Christian Arroyo then lined a single into right field. Right fielder Quincy Latimore overran the ball, allowing Duggar to score and Arroyo to move all the way to third. The next batter C.J. Hinojosa lifted a fly bally to right field that was caught by Latimore. Arroyo attempted to tag up on the play but was thrown out at home by Latimore. Means limited the damage to just the one run in the frame.

Richmond hurler Cory Taylor was impressive in just his second career Double-A start. Taylor punched out a pair of Baysox in the first inning and set the side down in order in the third. He added two more strikeouts in the third and worked around a one-out double from Drew Dosch.Taylor reached 42 pitches and five strikeouts after the first three innings of work.

Richmond provided Taylor an additional run for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Darren Ford reached base on a fielder’s choice and stole second base against Means. Stevan Duggar then reached for the second time with a walk and Arroyo delivered another base hit, scoring Ford for the second run. Means, teetering on the edge, was able to over come and allow only the one run in the inning despite needing 32 pitches in the frame.

Taylor (1-0) continued to command all of his pitches and struck out two more batters in the fifth. He allowed just two extra-base hits, including a double to Tucker Nathans in the seventh, but retired the next three hitters to strand Nathans at third. Taylor lasted seven innings and did not allow a run in the victory. He relinquished just four hits and stuck out eight batters, one shy of matching his personal best.

Bowie removed starter John Means after six innings and turned to Bobby Bundy for the final two frames. Angel Villalona was the first batter Bundy faced and Villalona launched a solo home run over the left center field wall to give Richmond a 3-0 advantage. Means (4-6) suffered the los despite allowing just a pair of runs over six innings of work. He threw 102 pitches in the defeat.

The bullpen of Christian Jones and Preston Claiborne finished out the game and hoemstand for Richmond. Jones tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Claiborne earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth .