Squirrels' rally falls short in series-opening loss to Yard Goats

HARTFORD, Conn. -  The Flying Squirrels had the tying run at second base in the seventh inning and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth but failed to complete a comeback, falling, 5-4, to the Hartford Yard Goats on Monday at Dunkin' Donuts Park.

Richmond (38-58, 10-14) nearly tied the game in the seventh. With Ryan Howard at third base and two outs, Bryce Johnson lined a pinch-hit, RBI single to left to cut Hartford's (49-42, 12-12) lead to 5-3. Johneshwy Fargas singled and stole second-his league-leading 36^th stolen base of the year-to put runners on second and third for Peter Maris .
Maris laced an 0-1 pitch from Rayan González down the right field line, but Mylz Jones made a diving catch to retire Maris and end the inning with the tying run at second base.
Johnson's single extended his on-base streak to 16 games. It is the fifth-longest active on-base streak in the Eastern League.
Trailing, 5-3, in the ninth, Gio Brusa led off with a solo blast over the right field fence against Scott Griggs (Save, 5) to make it a one-run game. It was Brusa's ninth home run of the season, tying him for the team lead with Jalen Miller . Griggs rebounded to retire the next three batters and end the game.
The Flying Squirrels took an early lead against Matt Whitehouse (Win, 4-2) in the first inning. After Miller singled and moved to second on a wild pitch, Jacob Heyward singled up the middle to put Richmond up, 1-0.
Alan Trejo promptly tied the game for the Yard Goats, lofting a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Manny Melendez in the bottom of the first against Caleb Baragar (Loss, 2-3).
Hartford jumped in front in the third. Two batters after Tyler Nevin singled home Scott Burcham, Bret Boswell crushed a two-run homer to right-center field to put the Yard Goats up by three.
Richmond rebounded with a run in the top of the fourth. After Miller doubled with one out, Zach Houchins singled through the left side to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Baragar yielded four runs on five hits in 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking one. He picked up his first professional hit-a single-in the fifth.
Whitehouse went a season-high six innings, striking out a season-high eight batters while allowing two runs on five hits and walking one.
Hartford padded its lead in the sixth when Jones doubled and later scored on a wild pitch from Chase Johnson .
The Flying Squirrels continue their three-game series against the Hartford Yard Goats on Tuesday at Dunkin' Donuts Park when right-hander Alfred Gutierrez (6-4, 4.02 ERA) is slated to face left-hander Ty Culbreth (3-8, 4.42 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m., and coverage begins with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup at 11:35 a.m. on Sports Radio 910 the Fan and 105.1 FM.
After a seven-game road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to Richmond on Thursday, July 18 to open a series against the Erie SeaWolves. Tickets are available now at SquirrelsBaseball.com, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels offices.
 
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