Squirrels come home to close out 2010

September 3, 2010; 12:10 PM • by John Murden

The Squirrels (65-72) dropped three straight to Erie (63-75) and then blew the SeaWolves out 14-0 in Richmond’s final road game of the 2010 season. This game marked the Squirrel’s largest margin of victory, largest shut-out win, and most runs scored in an inning. Inconsistent but interesting: them’s our boys… Returning to the Diamond to close out the 2010 season with a 4-game series with play-off contending Bowie (74-64), the Squirrels are in a prime position to play spoiler to the hated Baysox over the long weekend.

On Wednesday, speedy outfielder Darren Ford became the first former Squirrel to make the big leagues when he was called up directly to the San Francisco Giants. Arriving mid-game in San Francisco, Ford was put in as a pinch runner and proceeded to go from 2nd to home on a passed ball and an errant throw, scoring the game winning run in the close 2-1 game.

In other off-the-field news, the Richmond Flying Squirrels yesterday announced an extension of their Player Development Contract with the San Francisco Giants through the 2012 season. The Giants and the then-Norwich Navigators first signed in 2003. There was speculation earlier in the season that the Richmond club may be of interest to the Washington Nationals, who recently extended their agreement with the Eastern League’s Harrisburg Senators.

EASTERN LEAGUE UPDATE: The Trenton Thunder (81-57) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (79-58) have locked up the play-off spots in the Eastern Division, with Trenton holding 1 1/2 game lead for the division title. The Altoona Curve (80-58) locked up the Western Division title this week. The Bowie Baysox (74-64) hold a slim 1/2 game over the Harrisburg Senators (73-64) in the fight for the last play-off spot. With 4 games remaining, the New Britain Rock Cats (42-96) could still manage to loose 100 games…

September 3 7:05PM (HOME)
Bowie Baysox vs Richmond Flying Squirrels
Tanaka (7-12, 5.86) vs. Tanner (9-8, 3.58)
FIREWORKS/Drawstring Backpack Giveaway It’s Back to School Night at The Diamond! The first 2,000 fans 14 and Under will receive a Drawstring Backpack presented by AAA Mid-Atlantic

September 4 6:35PM (HOME)
Bowie Baysox vs Richmond Flying Squirrels
Gamboa (7-5, 3.70) vs. Stevens (4-4, 2.54)
The first 2,000 fans 15 and Older will receive a Grill Spatula presented by Corona!

September 5 5:05PM (HOME)
Bowie Baysox vs Richmond Flying Squirrels
Johnson (7-8, 5.35) vs. Westcott (3-3, 5.70)
Come out and enjoy Fireworks at The Diamond presented by The UPS Store!

September 6 12:05PM (HOME)
Bowie Baysox vs Richmond Flying Squirrels
Viola (3-3, 3.34) vs. Romero (4-3, 3.42)
Come out to The Diamond for the Flying Squirrels’ last home game and enjoy the sounds of B2B, a Jimmy Buffett Cover Band!