Squirrels and Baysox Suspended in 10th Inning
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the Bowie Baysox, 5-5. Then in the 10th inning a severe storm hit the ballpark, rendering the field unplayable. Since it is the last time Bowie visits Richmond this season, the suspended game will completed when the Squirrels visit Prince George's Stadium in August.
Trailing 5-2 to the bottom of the ninth inning, the Squirrels rallied for three runs off Bowie closer Marcel Prado. Skyler Stromsmoe opened the inning with a single before Niuman committed a critical error on a double play ball from Javier Herrera. Prado hit Adam Duvall to load the bases with one out and Angel Villalona brought in the first run with a swinging-bunt back to the Prado. Mark Minicozzi was walked and Jarrett Parker cracked a two-run single into center field to tie the ballgame.
The Baysox opened the scoring against Richmond lefty Chris Gloor in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Niuman Romero laced a double off the wall in left field. Caleb Joseph followed and shot an RBI single into right-center field for a 1-0 lead.
Bowie put together a very similar inning in the fourth, as Josh Horton doubled to center field with two outs. Brian Ward brought him in with a single to left field as the Baysox advantage grew to 2-0.
Trayvon Robinson led off the fifth inning against Gloor and tacked on another run. He lifted a solo-home run to left field for a 3-0 advantage.
The Squirrels were quiet against Bowie right-hander Mike Wright until the fifth inning. Skyler Stromsmoe delivered a one-out single to get Richmond started. Javier Herrera then sent a ground ball to second base that looked like it would turn into a double play. However, it took a wicked hop over the head of Horton for a bad-hop base hit. With runners at the corners, Joe Panik then sent a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Squirrels on the board, trailing 3-1.
The Baysox got the run right back and chased Gloor in the sixth inning. Horton was again the catalyst, leading off with a single to left-center field. He advanced to second on a ground out. With one out, Kyle Hudson chopped a ball back to the mound. Gloor fielded and caught Horton attempting to advance to third base. However, he threw wildly, and his error allowed Horton to score for a 4-1 lead. Gloor departed on the miscue. Right-hander Jose Valdez came on and Hudson stole third base. Catcher Tyler LaTorre sailed the throw into left field, and Hudson jogged in for a 5-1 lead. The error on LaTorre was the fourth of the ballgame charged to the Squirrels.
Gloor worked 5 1/3 innings and was spared the decision by the late Squirrels comeback. He was charged with five runs - four earned - on nine hits. He walked one and struck out five, enduring his sixth defeat of the year.
Ryan Lollis pulled the Squirrels a run closer in the seventh inning. Batting with one out, Lollis cranked a solo-home run off Wright to right field. Lollis' fifth of the year trimmed the Bowie lead to 5-2.
Wright did not factor in the decision over 6 2/3 innings. He conceded two earned runs on eight hits. He did not issue a walk and recorded four strikeouts.
The Squirrels travel to Erie, PA, to open a three-game series with the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) on Monday night. The opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Jerry Uht Park. Richmond RHP Craig Westcott (4-9, 3.93) will make the start against Erie RHP Warwick Saupold (4-3, 2.93). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Sports Radio 910, SportsRadio910.com and IHeart Radio.