July 20: RubberDucks Drop Series Opener Against Richmond, 9-5, Despite Gem From Juan Hillman

RubberDucks Game Recap

Richmond Flying Squirrels 9 (38-29) – Akron RubberDucks 5 (38-27)

WP: Patrick Ruotolo (1-0) LP: Nic Enright (1-1) Save: N/A

Summary

The Richmond Flying Squirrels score eight unanswered runs to down the Akron RubberDucks 9-5 on Tuesday night at Canal Park.

Turning Point

Richmond would break the 5-5 tie in the top of the eighth when Will Wilson would single home two runs to give the Flying Squirrels the 7-5 lead. A wild pitch and a passed ball would stretch the lead for Richmond to 9-5 by allowing Simon Whiteman and Wilson to score.

Mound Presence

Juan Hillman got the start for Akron and made quick work of Richmond in the early going retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced. The Flying Squirrels would get to Hillman in the fourth for a run, but he would work out the inning without anymore damage. In total, Hillman would toss four innings allowing just the one run on two hits while striking out six. Thomas Ponticelli would follow and not fare as well as Hillman allowing four runs over his two innings of work. Nic Enright would follow and allow two runs over an inning and a third while striking out four. Juan Móta would allow two runs during his two-thirds of an inning. Kyle Marman would toss a scoreless inning striking out one.

Duck Tales

After finding themselves down 1-0 in the fourth, the RubberDucks would break the bats out. With the bases loaded, Bo Naylor would reach via a catcher’s interference to bring home Tyler Freeman to tie the game. Chris Roller would follow with a two-run single to give Akron the 3-1 lead. Jose Fermin would stretch the lead with a two-run double to make it 5-1 Akron. The RubberDucks left 3 on base and were 3-for-8 with RISP.

Notebook

Steven Kwan’s single in the fourth would extend his hitting streak to 10 games … Roller’s two-run single would snap his 0-for-14 stretch … … Time: 3:07… Attendance: 3,405

On the Pond

The RubberDucks will continue their series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Wednesday, July 21 at 12:05 PM as Union Home Mortgage welcomes fans back home to Canal Park. The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV. Cody Morris (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for Akron against Richmond starter Caleb Kilian (3-0, 2.21 ERA).

END 4: After a 2 out Catchers interference call, The RubberDucks get back to back doubles from @ChrisRoller_7 and @JoseFermin29 to take the lead right back!

AKRON 5 - RICHMOND 1 #QuAkron pic.twitter.com/6i4S1yZbac

— Akron RubberDucks 🐤 (@AkronRubberDuck) July 20, 2021

MID 3: We have a pitcher’s duel down at Canal Park. Juan Hillman is CRUISING through his first three innings recording 6 Ks!

RICHMOND 0 - AKRON 0 #QuAkron pic.twitter.com/gIsdiaMJbS

— Akron RubberDucks 🐤 (@AkronRubberDuck) July 20, 2021

TOP 1: @RealJuanHillman Strikes out a trio of Flying Squirrels to get the game started!

RICHMOND 0 - AKRON 0 #QuAkron pic.twitter.com/QCv9e5wz1U

— Akron RubberDucks 🐤 (@AkronRubberDuck) July 20, 2021