The Trenton Thunder (33-30) walked off with a, 3-2, victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (34-27) on an RBI double from Tyler Austin in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon at ARM & HAMMER Park. The win allowed the Thunder to salvage a game in the three-game series which the Squirrels claimed two-games-to-one.
Austin decked the double to left-center field off Richmond closer Daryl Maday, plating Slade Heathcott with the game-winning run. Lefty Phil McCormick (2-4) had put Heathcott aboard with a walk, and was saddled with the loss for the Squirrels.
The Squirrels manufactured a run against right-hander Zach Nuding in the third inning to take the first lead of the day. Nuding walked Ryan Lollis to start the inning and Brett Krill singled behind him to put two aboard. Jarrett Parker flied out to right field to move Lollis to third base, and Krill stole second base. Joe Panik then bounced out to second base to bring in Lollis for a 1-0 lead.
Richmond righty Craig Westcott was in control through three innings, and also recorded the first two outs of the fourth. However, Jose Pirela worked a lengthy walk to extend the inning. Reegie Corona took advantage and laced an RBI double through the alley in right-center field. Pirela raced around to tie the ballgame, 1-1.
Nuding called a day after five innings, retiring to a no-decision. He permitted just one run on six hits, walked one and struck out three. Westcott also lasted five innings, and also allowed just one run. He conceded four hits, walked two and struck out three. He did not factor in the decision.
Right-hander Caleb Cotham relieved Nuding and began the sixth inning with Ricky Oropesa. Oropesa greeted him with a solo-home run to right field. His fifth homer of the year put Richmond back in front, 2-1.
Lefty Tom Vessella entered and worked a scoreless sixth inning. However, he found trouble and eventually conceded a game-tying run to the Thunder. Corona opened the frame with a single and was bunted to second. Vessella then walked Ali Castillo and hit Ramon Flores with a pitch to load the bases. A passed ball charged to Andrew Susac allowed Corona to score to tie the game, 2-2.
Cotham (2-1) recovered to retire 12 batters in a row following the Oropesa home run. He earned his second win of the year, facing just one over the minimum in his four innings of relief.
The Squirrels will travel to Harrisburg, PA, to continue their weeklong road trip. However, they will take Monday off before opening a three-game series with the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) on Tuesday night at Metro Bank Park. First pitch of the opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warm Up begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sports Radio 910, SportsRadio910.com and IHeart Radio.
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Chris Graham
