The Richmond Flying Squirrels opened their season with “M&Ms” at the top of the batting menu.

Not the candy kind; this is about leadoff hitter Ismael Munguia and second-in-order Luis Matos.

The Latin American outfielders provided much of the offensive thrust in the season opener April 8 in a 4-3 win over visiting Reading at The Diamond.

Munguia, a 24-year-old Nicaraguan, and Matos, a 21-year-old switch-hitter from Venezuela, combined for five hits in the opener with Matos slugging the first homer of the season.

Richmond went on to sweep the opening series against the Philadelphia Phillies Eastern League affiliate three games to none under manager Dennis Pelfrey.

The Squirrels are playing in Harrisburg, Pa., this week and will return to Richmond for a six-game series against Erie, Pa., Seawolves ending April 16. Erie is the Detroit Tigers’ AA affiliate.

Richmond is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day April 14 in Harrisburg. Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier on April 14, 1947, debuting with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Robinson’s No. 42 is retired across pro ball major and minor league teams.

The Richmond roster is short on African-Americans but well represented by Latino athletes.

Along with Munguia and Matos, others who are from mostly Spanish-speaking countries are pitchers Raymond Burgos (Puerto Rico), Randy Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) and Juan Sanchez (Venezuela).

Also, the Squirrels are hopeful of soon adding shortstop Marco Luciano, a Dominican who is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the San Francisco chain. Luciano began the season in extended spring training.