Trenton, New Jersey - Flying Squirrels lefty Nate Reed shutdown Trenton (85-44) over seven innings, guiding Richmond (57-72) to a 5-1 win on Thursday evening at Arm & Hammer Park. Reed limited the best team in the Eastern League to just four hits in the win. Jerry Sands doubled twice
Trenton, New Jersey - Flying Squirrels lefty Nate Reed shutdown Trenton (85-44) over seven innings, guiding Richmond (57-72) to a 5-1 win on Thursday evening at Arm & Hammer Park. Reed limited the best team in the Eastern League to just four hits in the win. Jerry Sands doubled twice and K.C. Hobson homered to lead the offense. Richmond improved to 5-3 against Trenton and have now won six of the last seven contests. Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Reed limited one of the league's best offensive attacks to a handful of hits, working ahead in counts and keeping the ball down in the zone. Reed scoffed at a bunt base hit in the first inning and induced a double play ball following a walk in the second. The lefty encountered adversity in the third by loading the bases, however, he escaped by striking out Thairo Estrada and getting a grounder off the bat of Mike Ford.
Richmond plated the first run of the game in the second inning with the help of the first base bag. After Jerry Dands doubled, K.C. Hobson sent a low liner towards first base. The ball hit the corner of the bag and sailed onto the Trenton dugout for a double. The play scored Sands from second for a 1-0 Richmond lead.
The Squirrels added two more runs in the third, forging ahead to a 3-0 advantage. Myles Schroder lined a double to left to open the inning and advanced to third base on sacrifice bunt. Hunter Cole then dribbled a ball to Abiatal Avelino at third base. Avelino targeted home with the throw but the catcher dropped the ball, allowing Schroder to score. Sands then contributed another double, this time bringing home Cole for the 3-0 score.
Reed ended his outing with what might have been his most impressive inning. He induced a pair of quick ground outs to start the frame and then dropped in a curve on his 101 pitch of the day to strike out Jeff Hendrix. The lefty lasted seven innings and allowed just four hits. It was the third time this year Reed pitchd seven or more frames.
K.C. Hobson added some insurance in the eighth inning with a solo home run over the right field wall. Hobson's homer was his 10th of the year and put Richmond ahead, 5-0.
Jordan Johnson replaced Reed in the eighth inning and allowed the lone run to Trenton. Johnson, pitching for the first time since being placed on the Disabled List a month ago, walked one and struck out one.
Seth Rosin finished the contest with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Flying Squirrels continue their final road trip of the season on Friday in Trenton, NJ. RHP Dan Slania is scheduled to make the start for Richmond against thunder RHP Will Carter. Richmond will wrap up the trip in Trenton, New Jersey on Sunday, August 27, before opening up the last homestand of the season beginning Monday, August 28. Tickets and additional details can be found at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.
