The Richmond Flying Squirrels (50-55) dropped the series finale on Sunday afternoon and had their four-game winning streak halted in a 3-1 loss to the Reading Fighting Phils (49-57) from The Diamond. Reading avoided the series sweep by limiting the Squirrels to just four hits. Phils starting pitcher Tyler Viza turned a quality effort to earn the win. The Flying Squirrels are off on Monday and will travel to New Hampshire for the first time this season to face the Fisher Cats in a three- game series starting Tuesday.
Richmond’s Chase Johnson returned from the disabled list (finger) and tossed three perfect innings on Sunday afternoon. Johnson mowed down the Reading Fighting Phils, needing just 34 pitches to retire all nine batters. Johnson struck out a pair and handed the ball off to Jose Flores in a piggyback performance.
Flores worked a scoreless fourth and fifth inning but allowed the first two runners to reach in the sixth, leading to his departure. Garrett Williams entered from the bullpen and allowed an RBI single to Darick Hall and an RBI double to Jan Hernandez. Drew Stankiewicz also added a sacrifice fly to move Reading into the lead for just the second time in the series, 3-0.
Reading’s Viza cruised through the first five innings and much like Johnson, retired the first nine batters he faced. Viza allowed just a pair of base runners over the first five innings in the contest. The righty was touched up for just one run over six innings of work to earn the win Richmond scored the lone run off Viza in the sixth. Caleb Gindl reached with one out on a base hit and Luigi Rodriguez drilled an RBI triple into right centerfield. Viza (2-3) allowed the one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out four, needing 84 pitches in the effort.
Richmond lefty Williams recovered after the runs allowed in the sixth. Williams retired the side in order and struck out two to end the seventh inning. Flores (0-1) suffered the defeat while Sam Wolff worked a pair of scoreless innings to keep the game close.
Richmond managed to put the potential tying run on base in the ninth inning, but came up short. Closer Jeff Singer walked Aramis Garcia and pinch-hitter Matt Lipka, allowing Jonah Arenado to the plate with the game on the line. Arenado flew out to end the contest. Singer recorded his eighth save.
The Squirrels will send RHP Taylor Hill (0-4, 4.88) to the mound against LHP Taylor Saucedo (2-1, 4.37). Richmond will be on the road from July 31-August 6. The Squirrels will return to Funnville for a six-game homestand on Tuesday, August 7 against thee Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Tickets and information can be found at www.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN (3884)
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