May 16: Burns, Ducks beat rain and Squirrels, 2-1 in 5 innings
May 16, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (17-16) 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels (17-16) 1, 5 innings WP: Tanner Burns (2-1) LP: Mason Black (0-3) Save: none Summary Akron right-hander Tanner Burns held Richmond to one run in five innings to win his second straight start, while
May 16, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score
Akron RubberDucks (17-16) 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels (17-16) 1, 5 innings
WP: Tanner Burns (2-1) LP: Mason Black (0-3) Save: none
Summary
Akron right-hander Tanner Burns held Richmond to one run in five innings to win his second straight start, while designated hitter Johnathan Rodríguez and left fielder Korey Holland each hit RBI singles in a rain-shortened, 2-1, five-inning road win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the opener of a six-game series at The Diamond Tuesday night.
Turning Point
After Burns allowed two hits and walked two batters to start the second inning, the game was tied, 1-1, with Richmond loading the bases and no outs. Burns then struck out designated hitter Carter Williams and got left fielder Simon Whiteman to line out, before center fielder Ismael Munguia popped out to end the inning, still in a 1-1 tie. From that point, Burns only allowed one more baserunner on a third-inning walk and retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced.
Mound Presence
Burns finished with two hits and three walks allowed, while striking out two batters. He retired the Squirrels in order in the first, fourth and fifth innings, retiring the final nine batters he faced to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his career and first since June 4-11, 2021.
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks took a first-inning lead against Richmond right-hander Mason Black. Center fielder Petey Halpin put down a bunt single, reached second base with two outs after shortstop José Tena’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single to left field by Rodríguez, who extended an eight-game hitting streak – the longest by a RubberDuck this season. In the fourth inning, with a 1-1 tie, Black walked Akron catcher Bryan Lavastida, who went to second base on groundout and scored on Holland’s two-out RBI single to right field – extending his six-game hitting streak to start his Double-A career.
Starting the game off right!@jjrodz55 lines single to bring home @peteyhalpin and put us ahead!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 16, 2023
TOP 1: Akron 1 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/3F1YL3s6G6
Stay hot kid!!@holland_korey keeps his bat hot as this single puts up back in front!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 16, 2023
TOP 4: Akron 2 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/zuaXxNd9ha
Notebook
Akron has won six of its last eight games to tie Richmond for second place in the Southwest Division, a half game behind first-place Erie (18-16)…The five-inning game was the shortest official game for Akron since a 3-0, five-inning win in Harrisburg on Aug. 19, 2018 (called due to wet grounds)…Game Time: 1:28 (0:39 rain delay)…Attendance: 4,277.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at The Diamond. Akron right-hander Jack Leftwich (2-2, 6.23 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Kai-Wei Teng (0-2, 2.63 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.