BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels scored five runs in the seventh and beat the Somerset Patriots, 5-1, on Sunday evening at TD Bank Ballpark.
The Flying Squirrels (60-40, 17-15) split the six-game series against the Patriots (53-49, 16-17) and moved back to 20 games over .500 for the season, their best record in franchise history through 100 games.
Somerset starter Ben Hess (Loss, 3-3) held Richmond to three hits over his first six inning before Richmond broke a scoreless tie in the seventh. Gavin Kilen led off with a single and Charlie Szykowny singled with one out, setting up a two-run double by Maui Ahuna for a 2-0 Flying Squirrels lead.
Later in the inning, Richmond loaded the bases and Trevor Cohen hit a two-run single. Luis Velasquez was called for a balk to plate the fifth Flying Squirrels run of the inning, opening a 5-0 lead.
Cohen finished his day 2-for-5. He has multiple hits in each of his last seven games since July 26, batting .485 (16-for-33) in that stretch with three doubles, a homer, six RBIs, eight runs scored and eight stolen bases.
After being held to one hit over the first six innings, the Patriots collected three consecutive singles to open the bottom of the seventh, including an RBI single by Kevin Verde to close the score to 5-1.
Logan Martin made a spot start for the Flying Squirrels and threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. In the first, he worked out of a second-and-third, one-out jam.
Shane Rademacher followed with three scoreless innings and struck out three batters. Over his last five outings since July 3, Rademacher has posted a 0.87 ERA (1 ER/10.1 IP).
Marques Johnson (Win, 1-1) threw a scoreless sixth.
Ryan Vanderhei worked the final two innings without allowing a run. Over his last 11 outings since June 20, Vanderhei has gone 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA (1 ER/15.0 IP).
The Flying Squirrels return home Tuesday to open a six-game series against the Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Left-hander Greg Farone (4-8, 6.08) will be on the mound for Richmond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at CarMax Park.
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the 804 Day Block Party will be held from 5-7 p.m. outside the center field gates are CarMax Park, featuring games, face painting, a balloon artist, a photobooth artist, music from DJ Ron Manila and more. The 804 Day Block Party will also be the first chance for fans to purchase individual-game tickets for the Flying Squirrels’ home games in this September’s Eastern League playoffs.
The Flying Squirrels will be wearing their River City uniforms on Tuesday. The on-field jerseys are up for auction now at FlyingSquirrelsAuctions.com with proceeds benefiting the James River Association.
Following Tuesday’s game, the Flying Squirrels will host a Richmond-themed drone show, the first of its kind at CarMax Park. The show will feature 200 drones synchronized to music creating images resembling iconic Richmond landmarks and baseball elements.
Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Ticket packages for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.