Squirrels Squeak Out Series Split In Trenton

Trenton, NJ - The new Minor League Baseball rule of starting extra innings with a runner on second base allowed the Flying Squirrels (2-2) to squeak out a 3-2 win in the series finale over Trenton (2-2) on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park. Ryan Howard opened the top of the tenth inning as the gifted runner on second and Aramis Garcia brought him home with a double down the left field line. The Squirrels relief duo of Ryan Halstead and Ray Black managed to strand Trenton's gifted runner at third base in the bottom of the tenth to secure the win.

Black earned his second save of the year by striking out Chace Numata and Gosuke Katoh to end the game. Halstead (1-1) earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings. The Flying Squirrels bullpen worked five scoreless innings to back a solid start from lefty Matt Gage. Dusten Knight tossed three scoreless to lead the way.
Gage received a no-decision despite allowing just two runs over five innings of work. Gage's only mistake was a two-run homer to Jhalen Jackson in the second inning. Jackson homered three time in the series.
A patient approach at the plate combined with an erratic start for Trenton's Will Carter led to the only two runs in regulation for Richmond in the first inning. Ryan Howard reached with one out on an infield single and stole second base. Jerry Sands followed with an RBII double to take a 1-0 lead. Carter then walked Luigi Rodriguez, Matt Lipka and Dillon Dobson to produce the second run of the inning. With the bases still loaded, Daniel Carbonell grounded out to third to keep Carter in the game.
Carter also received a no-decision, working 4.2 innings. Lefty reliever James Reeves did not allow a run over 2.1 innings of work and Andrew Schwaab (0-1) suffered the loss with 3.0 innings.
NOTES:

• Gage made his 44^th start for the Flying Squirrels. The lefty made his first start on July 17, 2015.
• The Flying Squirrels drew 25 walks in the series and walked in two runs.
• Richmond stole three more bases in the win. The Squirrels have eight stolen bases on the year.
• Ronnie Jebavy nearly leapt up to catch Jalen Jackson's home run in the second inning. The ball was just out of his reach
• Luigi Rodriguez collected his first hit with the Giants organization in the 10^th inning. He also walked three times.

The Flying Squirrels road trip continues in Hartford on Monday at 7:05 p.m. LHP Garrett Williams is scheduled to open the series in his Double-A debut. The Squirrels will return home on Friday, April 13 for the home opener at The Diamond. The team is pushing for their ninth consecutive Opening Night sellout crowd. Limited tickets for the event that featured dueling fireworks and Fred McGriff remain by contacting the box office at 804-359-3866 or online at squirrelsbaseball.com.