The Richmond Flying Squirrels (70-67) secured their third consecutive victory on Friday by defeating Reading, 5-4, to stay two games back of a playoff spot with only three games remaining.
Veteran infielder Juan Ciriaco delivered the go-ahead run with a base hit in the seventh inning and reliever Pedro Rodriguez earned his second save of the year by pitching the final two frames to close out the game. Despite the win, the Squirrels elimination number was reduced to two games as the wild card leading Altoona Curve defeated Binghamton. The Squirrels and Phils will play game two of the series on Saturday night with RHP Joe Biagini on the mound for Richmond.
Reading opened up a 1-0 lead in the first inning due to a sluggish Squirrels start. Richmond starting pitcher Joan Gregorio walked KC Serna to begin the game. Serna then slide around a tag while stealing second base and scored on a grounded that was misplayed for an error by the shortstop Rando Moreno. The Phils added a run for a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning following a base hit, two-base throwing error and sacrifice fly from Harold Martinez.
Reading starting pitcher Zack Eflin was untouchable over the first three innings. Eflin retired the first nine batters he faced before running into trouble in the fourth. With two outs in the fourth, the Squirrels rallied for three runs on four hits to take a 3-2 lead. Juan Ciriaco and Hunter Cole got it started with consecutive doubles to cut the lead to 2-1. Ricky Oropesa followed with a walk and Devin Harris looped a single to tie the game, 2-2. Engle Beltre promptly gave Richmond the lead with a base hit to right for a 3-2 advantage.
Hunter Cole smashed his second double of the game top open the sixth inning and scored on a double (4-2) from Oropesa that barely stayed in the park off the top of the right centerfield wall.
Gregorio managed to hold it together for Richmond through six innings in the no decision. Gregorio allowed a pair of unearned runs on four hits over 98 pitches in his final appearance of the season. Kyle Crick relieved Gregorio to open the seventh and Crick walked a batter and hit a man to end his outing. Jose Casilla then entered with runners on and yielded a base hit to Rene Garcia to tie the game, 4-4.
Eflin lasted six innings and allowed four runs on six hits with five strikeouts in a no decision. Reliever Edubray entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and allowed the winning run to take the loss. Pinch hitter Skyler Stromsmoe reached to open things up on a walk and moved to second via a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Ciriaco flared a base hit to left to score Stromsmoe for a 5-4 lead. Pedro Rodriguez tossed the final two innings to earn his second save of the year.
The Squirrels continue the final series of the regular season on Saturday against Reading at The Diamond. Squirrels RHP Joe Biagini (10-6, 2.46) will make the start against Reading RHP Jake Thompson (4-1, 2.08). First pitch is scheduled for6:05 with the Pregame Warmup beginning at 5:40 PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com. The Remaining Squirrels promotional schedule is as follows: (9/5) Superblast Saturday and 20th Anniversary of Billy Madison. (9/6) Kids Club Metal Lunchbox Giveaway. (9/7) Bark In the Park #3 – Labor Day.
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