Flying Squirrels' lead evaporates in extra-inning defeat

RICHMOND, Va. The Richmond Flying Squirrels led, 5-1, through six innings but could not hold on, losing, 6-5, in 10 innings to the Hartford Yard Goats on Thursday at The Diamond.

Hartford (41-35, 4-5) scored three runs in the top of the seventh to cut into the Richmond (28-49, 5-4) lead and tied the game with a run in the eighth before taking the lead in the 10^th.
Colton Welker, an Eastern League All-Star, delivered the game-winning hit for the Yard Goats. With runners on first and third and one out, Welker hit a pinch-hit, RBI single off of Raffi Vizcaino (Loss, 0-2) down the right field line to put Hartford up, 6-5.
Relievers Tate Scioneaux, Logan Cozart (Win, 3-1) combined to hold Richmond scoreless through the seventh, eighth and ninth innings before Rayan González (Save, 2) retired the side in order in the 10^th.
The Flying Squirrels jumped on the board four pitches in to the bottom of the first when Bryce Johnson hit a solo home run over the right field fence. It was the first Double-A hit of Johnson's career and the first first-inning leadoff homer for Richmond since Will Maddox on May 13 against Erie. The Flying Squirrels added a second run in the inning when Peter Maris walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Houchins.
Hartford battled back in the third with an RBI single from All-Star Alan Trejo against starter Brandon Lawson to make it a 2-1 game. Lawson allowed three runs on seven hits across six innings while striking out six.
Richmond added runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, Johnson tripled and later scored on an RBI single by Maris. In the fifth, Jacob Heyward was hit by a pitch and crossed the plate on an RBI single by Gio Brusa . The Flying Squirrels' run in the sixth came on a solo homer from Jalen Miller , his team-leading ninth of the season.
Johnson finished the game 3-for-5 with a home run and a triple. He was a double shy of recording the first cycle in Flying Squirrels franchise history.
Lawson allowed a double and a hit a batter in the seventh before departing in favor of Tyler Cyr. He allowed an RBI single to Vance Vizcaino and later, a two-run single to Tyler Nevin that cut Richmond's lead to 5-4.
Hartford tied the game in the eighth. Bret Boswell led off with a double and scored on a two-out, two-strike, RBI single by Chris Rabago to knot the game at 5-5.
The Flying Squirrels continue their series against the Hartford Yard Goats on Friday when right-hander Alfred Gutierrez (4-3, 4.26 ERA) is slated to start opposite left-hander Jack Wynkoop (5-8, 3.26). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and coverage begins with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup presented by Air Force Reserve on Sports Radio 910 the Fan and 105.1 FM.
Richmond will transform into Las Ardillas Voladoras de Richmond on Friday as part of Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversion" initiative. The first 1,000 fans 21 and older to arrive at The Diamond will receive a knit soccer scarf featuring the Flying Squirrels' new Copa de la Diversión identity as part of the team's celebration of the 2019 Women's World Cup presented by Budweiser. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Fans can enjoy happy hour drink specials from 6-8 p.m. each Friday home game in Funnville. Specials include $2 12-ounce domestic beers at all concession stands, Beer Express carts and The Thirsty Acorn as well as $2 fountain sodas at the Pepsi Fountain (located on main concourse, first base side).
 Kids 14 & younger can run the bases following Friday and Sunday home games in Funnville presented by Richmond Family Magazine. Kids wanting to run the bases are asked the line up at the Section 107-108 field gate near the first base dugout at the conclusion of the game.
 
Tickets are on sale now for the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Week presented by Genworth. The All-Star Week festivities begin on Sunday, July 7 with Mayor Levar Stoney's All-Star Week Kickoff on Brown's Island, followed by the All-Star Country Music Jam on Monday, July 8, headlined by Big & Rich with special guests Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway. The Celebrity Home Run Derby is Tuesday, July 9 and the festivities wrap up with the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 10.  
 
For tickets or more information, call 804-359-3866 (FUNN), visit SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets or stop by the Flying Squirrels box office. 
 
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