Bowie, MD - Matt Lipka launched a solo home run and the Flying Squirrels (57-63) collected 11 hits in a 6-3 win over the Bowie Baysox (56-64) on Thursday at Prince George's Stadium. Richmond's Chase Johnson worked five innings to earn the win and split the four-game, three-day series in
Bowie, MD - Matt Lipka launched a solo home run and the Flying Squirrels (57-63) collected 11 hits in a 6-3 win over the Bowie Baysox (56-64) on Thursday at Prince George's Stadium. Richmond's Chase Johnson worked five innings to earn the win and split the four-game, three-day series in Bowie. Richmond now returns to Funnville to begin a five-game homestand beginning with the Hartford Yard Goats on Friday. Friday is a Free Shirt Friday & RVA's Best Happy Hour as well as Grateful Fans night at the ballpark. The first 1,500 fans (15+) will receive a free tie-dyed TV shirt presented by Virginia Commonwealth Bank.
Johnson (2-3) maneuvered through five innings to earn his second win of the season. The Richmond bullpen combo of Ryan Halstead (3IP, 0H,2BB,2K) and Dusten Knight (IP, S, BB) worked the final four scoreless innings to preserve the win.
The Squirrels limited Bowie to just three hits and reclaimed an early lead with a bases loaded walk to Ali Castillo in the sixth inning. Castillo reached base three times on the night with a pair of singles and the walk.
Matt Lipka opened the scoring with a solo home run on the third inning. Lipka worked a 3-2 count on starter Dean Kremer before lining his fourth homer of the year over the left field wall. With two outs in the inning, John Polonius worked a walk and advanced to second on a base hit. Luigi Rodriguez then brought home Polonius with a base hit to centerfield for a 2-0 lead.
The Baysox managed to get to Johnson with a pair of runs in the third inning and another run the fourth to take the lead. Johnson loaded the bases and with one out Ryan Mountcastle hit a sharp grounder to third base. Ali Castillo fielded the ball and stepped on the bag for the second out of the inning. Castillo then lofted a low throw to first that was dropped, resulting in the runner scoring from third base. Aderlin Rodriguez followed and tied the game with a base hit to left.
Bowie took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when Salcedo lined a single with two outs into centerfield. Johnson returned for the fifth and retired the side in order, ending his outing. Overall, Johnson allowed three runs on three hits in the win. He walked four and struck out three on a season-high 85 pitches.
The Squirrels tied it up in the fifth as Caleb Gindl produced an RBI double to score Ali Castillo.
Bowie's Kremer was yanked from the contests with one out in the sixth after he loaded the bases. With one out, reliver Tanner Chleborad entered and struck out pinch-hitter Dillon Dobson. Chleborad was on the verge of escaping the inning when he walked Ali Castillo drew a walk to take a 4-3. Chelborad then allowed the go-ahead runs in the sixth and seventh.
Chelborad was touched up for another run in the seventh. Ryan Howard singled and advanced to third on a botched play trying to defend a sacrifice bunt. Dylan Davis grounded into a double play but scored Howard for a 5-3 advantage. Chelborad worked 2.2 innings in relief of Kremer. He walked two and struck out a pair.
Richmond returns to Funnville to begin a five-game homestand against the Yard Goats and Bowie Baysox on Friday, August 17. RHP Logan Webb (0-0, 3.60) is scheduled to make the start in the series opener against Harford's RHP Frank Duncan (2-2, 4.03). Friday is a Free Shirt Friday & RVA's Best Happy Hour as well as Grateful Fans night at the ballpark. The first 1,5-fans (15+) will receive a free tie-dyed TV shirt presented by Virginia Commonwealth Bank. Tickets and information can be found atwww.squirrelsbaseball.com or by calling 804-359-FUNN
