Squirrels limp home hoping for better luck at the Diamond

Two games under .500, the Squirrels need to pick up a few home wins to inch up the standings. THERE IS STILL HOPE PEOPLE. DESPAIR NOT.

May 31, 2011; 8:31 PM • by Matt Sadler

Last Week

Erie SeaWolves

Game one of the series went to Erie as Richmond committed four errors, resulting in two unearned runs. Eric Surkamp’s seven strong innings of 1-run ball in game two was honored as the Squirrels were able to use a four run outburst in the 6th to put the SeaWolves away. It was the big bats that allowed Richmond to cruise to a 6-3 victory in game three, as Johnny Monnell hit two home runs and Juan Perez added his own 2-run shot.

@ Akron Aeros

The series opener vs Akron was a disaster as the Aeros hit starter Clayton Tanner hard on their way to a 9-2 win. Game two was Richmond’s only breakthrough as Nick Noonan was able to garner the winning hit in the 10th. On Sunday, Eric Surkamp’s gem where he gave up 0 earned runs was spoiled as the Richmond’s closer gave up the walk-off hit on an infield single. The Squirrels dropped the series finale; it was about missed opportunities as they stranded 10 runners and left the bases loaded twice.

This Week

@ Bowie Baysox

This is the fifth series of the year between these two teams and the third at Prince Georges Stadium. The Baysox are coming off of a very bad series at Harrisburg where they were swept in a rare five-game series. Unfortunately for Richmond, the Baysox seem to play Richmond well as they sport an 8-4 record vs The Flying Squirrels this season. Richmond will face Bowie’s Steve Johnson, who is the son of former MLB piter Dave Johnson. Johnson is sporting 3-1 record with a 1.98 ERA. Bowie also boasts leadoff hitter Xavier Avery, who is second in the league with 19 steals. Avery was recruited to play tailback for Georgia before being drafted in the second round by the Baltimore Orioles.

Reading Phillies

This is the second series between these two teams. Richmond took two out of three from the Phillies when they visited back in mid-May. Reading has since dropped to the middle of the pack in the Eastern Division, but they are still sporting a .531 winning percentage. Major League player Shane Victorino begins a rehab assignment with Reading this week. It remains to be seen if he will make the trip to Richmond. 1B Cody Overbeck still leads the league with 13 runs, and left fielder Michael Spidale has come on strong lately, currently batting .319.

Squirrels to Watch

• Ryan Verdego — and the Bowie Baysox know each other well. Verdego has faced Bowie four times this season and is 2-0 against them.
• Roger Kieschnick — continues to have good plate appearances. He is now up to .234 on the season after dropping to .171 earlier in the month.
• Johnny Monell — will have his hands full this week against Bowie as teams have been able to run wild against him. Opponents have stolen 40 bases in 50 tries against Monell, who currently has the second-most stolen bases against a catcher in the Eastern League.

This week at the Diamond

The three games this weekend encourage blowing off some steam as the kids will be a allowed a chance to run the bases after each game vs Reading.

• Friday Night – “Acrylic Mug Giveaway” – A new mug will be given to the first 2,500 fans15 & older.
• Saturday Night – “Faith Night” – pregame will feature performances by Christian artists. My personal favorite Christian Rock band, Stryper will not be there. Oh well.
• Sunday – “Foam bat giveaway” – Just a hunch, but you will probably get hit with one
  of these at some point during the game.

May 31, 2011 8:31 PM 0