RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels rallied from a five-run deficit in the late innings and walked off over the Reading Fightin Phils, 10-9, on Friday night at CarMax Park.
The Flying Squirrels (62-42, 19-17 second half) picked up their 11th walk-off win of the season and rallied to win after trailing by five-or-more runs for the fourth time this year.
Trailing, 9-4, entering the bottom of the seventh, Dayson Croes and Gavin Kilen led off with walks before the next two batters were retired. With two outs, Maui Ahuna walked to load the bases and Jancel Villarroel followed with a full-count walk to bring home a run.
Jack Payton followed with a two-run double to close the deficit to 9-7.
Jose Astudillo, making his Double-A debut, drove a two-run single to tie the score, 9-9, against Reading reliever and former Richmond pitcher Evan Gates (Loss, 1-4).
In the bottom of the ninth, Ahuna led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Payton singled for his third hit of the game, moving Ahuna to third.
With runners on first and third and one out, Astudillo hit a groundball to shortstop Bryan Rincon, and Ahuna scored ahead of his throw to win the game.
Esmerlin Vinicio (Win, 1-0) took over in the eighth for his Double-A debut and struck out the side to strand two runners on base before a scoreless ninth inning.
The Fightin Phils (52-54, 22-15) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before the Flying Squirrels scored two in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. Kilen tied the score with a single and Ahuna brought in a groundout against Reading starter Gage Wood.
In the top of the second, Raider Tello hit an RBI single to pull the Fightin Phils within a run. Astudillo led off the bottom of the inning with his first Double-A hit and later scored on a groundout by Trevor Cohen to open a 4-2 Richmond lead.
Reading closed the score to 4-3 in the top of the fourth inning on a single by Tello before rain delayed play for an hour and 37 minutes.
After the delay, Reading hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to move back in front. After a leadoff walk, Pedro Leon hit a two-run homer and Raylin Heredia followed with a solo shot to give the Fightin Phils a 6-4 lead.
Caleb Ricketts belted a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to push Reading’s lead to 9-4.
The series continues on Saturday night. Left-hander Tyler Switalski (0-3, 9.72) will start for Richmond opposed by right-hander Baydon Tucker (7-6, 3.03). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at CarMax Park.
Saturday is Funky Fireworks Night presented by CarMax. The first 4,000 fans of all ages will receive a pair of diffraction glasses to make the postgame Funky Fireworks show, presented by Chick-fil-A, extra bright and colorful. The Funky Fireworks show will also feature a live performance by the Flying Squirrels' Batter Up Brass Band.
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.