Richmond Flying Squirrels hit walk-off home run for first time since 2022

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Jairo Pomares came off the bench in the bottom of the ninth and crushed a walk-off three-run homer, giving the Richmond Flying Squirrels a 6-3 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Friday night at The Diamond.

It was Richmond’s first walk-off homer since 2022 and tied the series at two games apiece.

With two outs in the ninth, Thomas Gavello and Justin Wishkoski hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Pomares pinch-hit and launched a 1-1 pitch over the right-field wall to end the game. It was his second career walk-off hit with Richmond.

Reading had jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Squirrels tied it in the fifth with a three-run rally. Diego Velasquez drove in a run with a single, Carter Howell followed with an RBI triple, and then scored on a throwing error.

Richmond’s bullpen held strong, with Will Bednar, Helcris Olivárez, and Evan Gates combining for four scoreless innings. Gates earned the win with four strikeouts over the final two frames.

The two teams meet again Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. at The Diamond.