SummaryAfter the Akron RubberDucks scored twice on first baseman Wilson Garcia 's first-inning single, Richmond Flying Squirrels pitching combined to hold them to three hits and no runs over the final eight innings of a 5-2 victory that snapped Akron's three-game winning streak at The Diamond Saturday night.
Summary
After the Akron RubberDucks scored twice on first baseman Wilson Garcia 's first-inning single, Richmond Flying Squirrels pitching combined to hold them to three hits and no runs over the final eight innings of a 5-2 victory that snapped Akron's three-game winning streak at The Diamond Saturday night.
Turning Point
The RubberDucks held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, when left-hander Tanner Tully (3-4) hit right fielder Johneshwy Fargas with a one-out pitch. After a groundout moved the tying run to second base with two outs, Richmond designated hitter Chris Shaw hit a fly ball that the wind pushed from center to left-center field, where it went off center fielder Daniel Johnson 's glove, allowing Fargas to score the tying run and putting Shaw at second base. Second baseman Jalen Miller and left fielder Jacob Heyward hit consecutive RBI singles to give Richmond a 4-2 lead.
Mound Presence
Tully allowed a third-inning run when catcher Logan Ice 's throw hit Fargas in a rundown between third base and home plate. After the three-run fifth inning, he allowed two hits in the sixth inning before departing with one out. Left-hander Kyle Nelson 's wild pitch scored one runner, so Tully allowed five runs - one earned - on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. After Richmond right-hander Brandon Lawson pitched four innings, former RubberDuck right-hander Kieran Lovegrove was perfect in the fifth and sixth to win his first appearance against his former club. Right-hander Tyler Cyr (one inning) and left-hander Sam Moll (two innings) helped retire 16 of the final 17 RubberDucks.
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks took a first-inning lead for a third straight night. Designated hitter Nellie Rodríguez singled, Johnson doubled, and both scored on Garcia's single. Left fielder Connor Marabell singled, and a walk loaded the bases before Lawson escaped the inning. Akron had three hits (none after the fourth inning) and did not score in the final eight innings.
Notebook
For an 11th straight game, the RubberDucks starting pitcher went at least five innings and allowed two earned runs or fewer. Akron is 6-5 in that span…Johnson extended the Eastern League's longest active hitting streak to 11 games, while Marabell (10 games) and Rodriguez (seven) also extended theirs…Time of game: 2:45…Attendance: 9,243 (largest to see a RubberDucks game this season).
On the Pond
The RubberDucks conclude the series in Richmond on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. EDT. RHP Jake Paulson (2-1, 4.36) is scheduled to start for Akron against LHP Caleb Barager (0-0, 3.68) for the Flying Squirrels. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.
