'Ducks score late, hand Squirrels fourth straight loss
AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels dropped their fourth straight game on Thursday night, falling to the Akron RubberDucks, 4-3, at Canal Park. The Flying Squirrels (11-13) went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and are now 1-for-21 in the series against the RubberDucks (16-8), who picked up their
AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels dropped their fourth straight game on Thursday night, falling to the Akron RubberDucks, 4-3, at Canal Park.
The Flying Squirrels (11-13) went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and are now 1-for-21 in the series against the RubberDucks (16-8), who picked up their tenth consecutive win.
With the score tied, 3-3, entering the bottom of the eight, Nick Swiney (Loss, 2-1) hit Aaron Bracho with a pitch to begin the inning. After two singles against Tanner Kiest loaded the bases with no outs, Yordys Valdes worked a bases-loaded walk to give Akron a 4-3 lead.
Kiest struck out the next two batters to strand the bases loaded.
In the ninth, Trey Benton (Win, 2-1) issued a two-out walk to Grant McCray but worked a groundout to end the game.
Kahlil Watson gave Akron a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a solo homer. Later in the frame, Valdes added an RBI single to put the RubberDucks up, 2-0.
Dilan doing it with the glove and with the bat!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 2, 2024
We're on the board in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/vrxBX75Ywo
The Flying Squirrels answered in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game, 2-2. Dilan Rosario hit an RBI double and Damon Dues reached on an error to bring home Brett Auerbach and even the score.
The RubberDucks took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI double by Milan Tolentino.
Hey look, we're tied again!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 3, 2024
Luis Toribio collects an RBI on a sac fly in the sixth. pic.twitter.com/b5JTGaVmwe
In the sixth, Luis Toribio hit a sacrifice fly to even the score, 3-3.
Hayden Birdsong started for Richmond and allowed three runs over four innings with five strikeouts. Wil Jensen pitched two hitless relief innings.
The series continues on Friday night at Canal Park. Lefty John Michael Bertrand (1-0, 2.03), last week’s Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, will start for Richmond opposed by Akron left-hander Ryan Webb (1-0, 2.45). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Following the two-week road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond May 14-19 to face the Reading Fightin Phils. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 (FUNN) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.