The Richmond Flying Squirrels (3-3) and the Bowie Baysox (5-1) split a double header at Prince George’s Stadium on Tuesday night. Richmond claimed the opener, 5-3, and Bowie prevailed in eight innings in the nightcap, 2-1.
The Squirrels wasted no time getting after Bowie left-hander Jake Pettit in game one. The first five hitters of the ballgame all notched singles as the Squirrels eventually took a quick 4-0 lead. Tyler Graham started the parade, followed by Matt Duffy, Jarrett Parker, Mario Lisson and Angel Villalona. Parker, Lisson and Villalona all recorded RBIs, while the fourth run scored on a passed ball. Pettit threw 45 pitches in the inning.
Left-hander Kelvin Marte worked a scoreless first inning in his Double-A debut. However, former Flying Squirrels’ infielder Sharlon Schoop connected for a solo-home run to put Bowie on the board in the second. The opposite-field shot to right field trimmed the Richmond lead to 4-1.
Pettit (0-1) settled in after his rocky first inning, but lasted just four innings and took the loss. He surrendered four runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out three.
Marte worked without further incident into the fifth inning, but immediately found trouble once there. He walked Schoop to start the frame. He recorded the first out of the inning, but then surrendered three consecutive singles to Garabez Rosa, Ronald Bermudez and Buck Britton. Britton knocked in two runs with his single to make it a one-run game, 4-3. Marte then walked Niuman Romero to load the bases with one out and was lifted in favor of Edwin Quirarte. Quirarte induced an inning-ending double play to preserve the Richmond lead.
Marte left with the lead after 4 1/3 innings, but was ineligible for the win. He recorded a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on five hits, walking three and striking out three.
The Squirrels then insured their lead with a run in the sixth inning against lefty Chris Petrini. Myles Schroder started the inning with a single and promptly stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out and scored for a 5-3 advantage on a sacrifice fly delivered by Ryan Lollis.
Quirarte (1-0) earned the win in relief, coming back to work a scoreless sixth inning. Right-hander Cody Hall closed out the win and earned his first save of the season with a scoreless seventh inning.
After a scoreless first inning in game two, Villalona opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. With one out, he clubbed a solo-home run to left-center field off of Bowie starter Matt Bischoff. Villalona’s second of the season put Richmond in front, 1-0.
Lefty Jack Snodgrass made his 2014 debut on a limited pitch count and turned in four sterling innings. He did not allow a run on four hits, walked none and struck out four. He did not record a decision despite leaving with the lead.
Bischoff’s only blemish was the Villalona home run, but he also departed after four innings. He was spared a decision, allowing just the lone run on two hits. He walked none and struck out six.
The Baysox pulled even following Snodgrass’ departure in the fifth inning. Schoop led off the fifth with a single off lefty Bryce Bandilla. David Freitas followed and cracked a game-tying double through the alley in left-center field.
The bullpens carried the game into extra-innings, where the Baysox prevailed in walk-off fashion. Chih-Hsien Chang sent a game-winning double into the left-field corner to score Britton for a 2-1 win. The double came off Phil McCormick (0-1), who was saddled with the loss for the Squirrels.
Oliver Drake (1-0) earned the win for the Baysox, tossing two innings of scoreless relief.
The Squirrels complete their seven-game season-opening road trip with the finale of a three-game series with the Bowie Baysox. First pitch of the finale is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. as Richmond LHP Ty Blach (0-1, 5.40) makes the start against LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 7.20). Pregame coverage will begin at 10:35 a.m. on SportsRadio910.com.
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