Taylor-Made RVA Day; Squirrels Avoid Sweep

Funnville, - Flying Squirrels right-hander Cory Taylor limited the Akron RubberDucks to just one hit over six innings to secure a 1-0 Richmond win Wednesday afternoon for RVA Day The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels (17-14) avoided a three-game sweep with the victory and snapped Akron's (20-12) seven-game winning streak in the process. Richmond will continue the current homestand on Thursday night with a Peanut-Free Night and In-Your-Face Fireworks presented by Auvi-Q.  

Taylor (4-1) matched his win total from a year ago with his finest performance of the year. The burly-right-hander worked a season-high six innings and limited the first place RubberDucks to just one hit. Taylor walked four, struck out two and was rarely in trouble throughout the contest.
The Flying Squirrels scored the game's only run in the bottom of the third inning off Akron spot starter Matt Whiteside. Matt Lipka opened up the frame with an infield hit and advanced to second on a bunt base hit from Ali Castillo. After Ronnie Jebavy flew out (advancing Lipka to third), Ryan Howard contributed a sacrifice fly to centerfield for a 1-0 advantage.
Whiteside (1-1) suffered the loss for Akron. The lefty worked 3.1 innings and allowed four hits and just the one run. Whiteside was relieved by Nick Pasquale (2.2IP, 0R, H) and Luke Eubank (2.0 IP, 0R, H).
The Flying Squirrels utilized a trio of relievers to secure their third shutout of the season. Newcomer Peter Lannoo made his Double-A debut in the seventh and worked around a leadoff double, keeping the shutout intact. Lannoo lasted 1.2 innings and allowed two hits to earn a hold. LHP Carlos Diaz worked an out to strand a runner in the eighth inning and Caleb Simpson locked in his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Simpson walked a batter and allowed a base hit before picking up the final out of the day. 
RVA Acorns:

• Cory Taylor picked up his 4th win, matching his total from last year
• Richmond completed their third shutout, all by a final score of 1-0
• Ryan Howard ended his hitting streak at seven games. He has now had streaks of 8, 7 and 7 this season.
• Peter Lannoo made his Double-A debut. Lannoo arrived in Richmond early Wednesday morning.
• The Modelo Mixed Nut Race standings are: Almond Brothers (7), Johnny Cashew (5) Walnut (2) and Peanut (1).
• Jersey Tally: Orange Jersey tally 1-1, Funnville Jersey Tally, 3-1

The Flying Squirrels continue their week-long homestand against the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) Thursday at 6:35 p.m. RHP Shaun Anderson (4-1, 2.38) takes the hill for Richmond against Trenton RHP Erick Swanson (5-0, 0.65). Tickets for the series and the rest of the events in Funnville are available at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.