Diaz belts go-ahead homer in 4-3 Squirrels win
BOWIE, Md. – Lisbel Diaz hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Chesapeake Baysox, 4-3, on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium.
BOWIE, Md. – Lisbel Diaz hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Chesapeake Baysox, 4-3, on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium.
The Flying Squirrels (69-47, 26-22 second half) picked up their third consecutive win over the Baysox (55-61, 26-22) in this week’s series.
Longball Lisbel gives us the lead!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 22, 2026
Diaz’s first Double-A homer is a HUGE three-run shot💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/8pMj4o84iJ
Trailing, 2-1, entering the eighth inning, Dayson Croes led off with a single and Charlie Szykowny worked a two-out walk to put runners at first and second. Diaz hit a three-run homer, his first at Double-A, to left-center to move the Flying Squirrels ahead, 4-2.
Diaz leads all Giants minor leaguers with 25 overall home runs this season between Low-A San Jose, High-A Eugene and Richmond.
The Baysox closed the score to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning with an RBI single by Victor Figueroa against Flying Squirrels reliever Shane Rademacher (Win, 2-2). Mitch White entered out of the bullpen and retired the final two outs of the inning to strand the tying run at second.
In the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Vogel (Save, 15) threw a 1-2-3 frame to end the game. He moved into fifth place on the Flying Squirrels’ all-time single-season saves list, passing Brett Bochy (2012) and Melvin Adon (2019).
SZYK-OH MY GOODNESS!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 22, 2026
Charlie’s 14th homer of the year flies 417 feet 😳 pic.twitter.com/ANFS4BSAf6
The Flying Squirrels broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with a solo homer by Szykowny, his 14th of the season and his second this series.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Baysox loaded the bases with a single and two walks against Flying Squirrels reliever Esmerlin Vinicio. Frederick Bencosme and Aron Estrada drove in runs with sacrifice flies to give the Baysox a 2-0 lead.
Miguel Mendez, acquired by the San Francisco Giants from the San Diego Padres earlier this month, started in his Flying Squirrels debut and struck out five batters over 2.1 innings.
Jack Choate pitched two hitless, scoreless relief innings and struck out three.
The Flying Squirrels picked up their 35th come-from-behind win of the season. It was their 23rd time this season winning a game after taking the lead in the eighth inning or later.
The series continues Saturday night. Left-hander Charlie McDaniel (3-2, 5.23) will start for Richmond opposed by Chesapeake right-hander JT Quinn (0-0, 2.25). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Prince George’s Stadium.
Following the road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to Richmond for a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs next Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Tickets for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.