In their longest nine-inning ballgame of the season, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (24-24) were defeated, 13-9, by the trenton thunder (28-23) at The Diamond on Monday afternoon. The Squirrels lost leads of five runs and three runs during the course of the ballgame and conceded season-highs for runs (13) and hits (16).
Trenton broke on top in the top of the second inning. Right-hander Kyle Crick walked Rob Refsnyder to start the inning and he quickly advanced to second base on a passed ball. He came around to score on a pair of ground outs for a 1-0 lead. The run was unearned against Crick.
The Squirrels hurriedly recouped the run against righty Caleb Cotham in the bottom of the second inning. Mario Lisson led off with a single to left-center field. He stole second base, advanced to third on a ground out from Angel Villalona, and scored when Jarrett Parker grounded out to second base.
Richmond forged ahead with a run in the third. Tyler Graham sparked the inning with a two-out single. Ryan Lollis singled behind him to put runners at the corners. Matt Duffy walked to load the bases and Lisson gave the Squirrels a 2-1 lead with a single to right field.
The Squirrels were back at it against Cotham in the fourth inning, to take a seemingly commanding lead. Cotham walked Parker with one out in the inning. After securing the second out, Cotham also walked Skyler Stromsmoe. Tyler LaTorre followed and laced a two-run double through the left-center field alley. Tyler Graham then knocked in LaTorre with a single to right-center. Cotham departed in favor of right-hander Manny Barreda. Graham promptly swiped second base. Lollis then singled on the infield. Graham motored all the way in from second for a 6-1 lead.
Crick was solid into the fifth inning, but things unraveled for him at that point as the Richmond lead evaporated. Fiorito led off with a single and Crick then walked Ali Castillo. Mason Williams then singled to load the bases. Ben Gamel singled to plate Fiorito and chase Crick from the ballgame. Lefty Phil McCormick entered and walked Rob Segedin to force in a run. Gary Sanchez followed and yanked a two-run double into the left-field corner. Trenton tied the ballgame, 6-6, when Tyler Austin grounded out to bring in Segedin.
Neither starter factored in the decision. Crick was charged with five runs – four earned – on five hits and four walks over four innings plus four batters. He struck out two. Cotham was tagged for six runs – five earned – on six hits. He walked three and struck out three.
Parker put the Squirrels back on top in the fifth inning. Barreda started the inning with a walk issued to Lisson. Angel Villalona followed with a single. Parker then launched a titanic three-run home run to right field. His fourth of the year put the Squirrels in front, 9-6.
The Thunder got a run back in the top of the sixth inning off of McCormick. Fiorito opened the inning with a double and moved to third on a bunt-single from Castillo. Williams made it, 9-7, with an RBI groundout.
Richmond again lost their lead in the seventh inning. Right-hander Jose Casilla conceded an inning-opening single to Sanchez. An out later, Refsnyder punched a double into the right-field corner to bring around Sanchez. The Squirrels went back to the bullpen for lefty Bryce Bandilla. Peter O’Brien came off the bench and clubbed a pinch-hit two-run home run to left field for a 10-9 lead.
The Thunder put the game away with a lone run in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth. Trenton scored in each of the final five innings to win going away. Bandilla (0-2) was saddled with the loss in relief. Barreda (4-0) was credited with the win.
The Squirrels continue their weeklong home stand as they welcome in the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) for a three-game series beginning at 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond on Tuesday night. Richmond LHP Adalberto Mejia (1-4, 5.95) will make the start against Altoona RHP A.J. Morris (5-0, 1.43). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmupbegins at 6:05 p.m. on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.
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Chris Graham
