Flying Squirrels take series opener with season-high nine runs

READING, Pa. - Behind a season-high nine runs, the Richmond Flying Squirrels powered past the Reading Fightin Phils, 9-4, on Friday at FirstEnergy Stadium in the road-trip opener. u1:p
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The Flying Squirrels (18-32) jumped on the board in the second inning when Richmond native Matt Winnlaunched a two-run homer off of Fightin Phils (28-21) starter Ramon Rosso (Loss, 3-2). It was the first home run of the season for Winn, a J.R. Tucker High School and VMI alum.u1:p
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Richmond tacked on two more in the third. After Will Maddox singled to start the inning, Johneshwy Fargas tripled off the left-field fence to make it 3-0. Next, Jalen Miller lofted a sacrifice fly to bring in Fargas.u1:p
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Right-hander Alfred Gutierrez (Win, 2-2) yielded his lone run of the night in the fourth. Two batters after a issuing a one-out walk, Gutierrez allowed a RBI double to Austi Listi.u1:p
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The Flying Squirrels offense produced another run in the fifth. Following back-to-back singles from Maddox and Fargas to put runners on first and third, Miller collected another RBI with his second sacrifice fly of the night. u1:p
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Fargas stole two bases in the inning for his 12^th and 13^th stolen bases of the season. Fargas' 13 steals rank first in the San Francisco Giants organization and second in the Eastern League. He finished the game 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and a walk in addition to his two stolen bases.u1:p
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Richmond lept out to a 7-1 lead in the sixth. On a 1-2 pitch, Zach Houchins smacked a two-run homer to right-center field, marking first home run as a member of the Flying Squirrels.u1:p
Houchins went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored.
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Listi brought the Fightin Phils closer in the bottom of the sixth, lifting a two-run homer over the left-field fence to make it 7-3. Reading had a chance for more with runners on first and second and two outs, but right-hander Melvin Adon relieved Gutierrez and recorded the final out of the frame.u1:p
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Gutierrez tied a season high with 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking one.u1:p
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Richmond added some insurance in the eighth. With runners on first and third and nobody out, Houchins grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Gio Brusa to score. Two batters later, C.J. McElroy singled to right to drive in Houchins to give the Flying Squirrels their season-high ninth run of the game.u1:p
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Adon allowed a home run to Listi-his second home run of the game-in the bottom of the eighth, trimming Richmond's lead to 9-4. Right-hander Chase Johnson set down the Fightin Phils in order in the ninth to close out the win.u1:p
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The Flying Squirrels continue their series against the Reading Fightin Phils with a scheduled double-header Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., and coverage begins with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup at 4:45 on Sports Radio 910 the Fan and 105.1 FM.
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Tickets are on sale now for the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Week presented by Genworth. The All-Star Week festivities begin on Sunday, July 7 with Mayor Levar Stoney's All-Star Week Kickoff on Brown's Island, followed by the All-Star Country Music Jam on Monday, July 8, headlined by Big & Rich with special guests Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway. The Celebrity Home Run Derby is Tuesday, July 9 and the festivities wrap up with the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 10.  u1:p
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For tickets or more information, call 804-359-3866 (FUNN), visit SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets or stop by the Flying Squirrels box office. u1:p
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-SQUIRRELS-