Akron, Ohio - The Akron RubberDucks (48-47) handed Richmond (39-57) their fourth consecutive loss on Friday, riding a three-run Bobby Bradley homer to a 4-2 win at Canal Park. Bradley's homer ruined an otherwise stellar outing for Richmond's starting pitcher Sam Coonrod. Coonrod tossed 6.1 innings and allowed four runs
Akron, Ohio - The Akron RubberDucks (48-47) handed Richmond (39-57) their fourth consecutive loss on Friday, riding a three-run Bobby Bradley homer to a 4-2 win at Canal Park. Bradley's homer ruined an otherwise stellar outing for Richmond's starting pitcher Sam Coonrod. Coonrod tossed 6.1 innings and allowed four runs on five hits in the defeat. The Squirrels will attempt to halt the four-game skid on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
The Squirrels had plenty of base runners during the game and forced Akron right-hander Luis Lugo to work deep into his pitch count over the first two innings. Richmond drew three walks and added a base hit between the first and second inning, however, could not score. Lugo tossed 51 pitches in the first two frames
Meanwhile, Coonrod was quick and efficient to start Friday's contest. Coonrod punched out the first batter he faced in Greg Allen on three pitches and set down the first nine batters he faced.
Richmond grabbed a short-lived 1-0 lead in the top to the fourth off of Lugo. With two-outs, Jeff Arnold smashed a double off the top of the left field wall, missing a homer run by inches. Rando Moreno then rolled a soft ground ball between first and second. Moreno beat the pitcher Lugo to the base and the toss form first went past the bag, allowing Arnold to score from second base.
Akron charged back to take the lead, disrupting the early rhythm set by Coonrod. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch to start the rally and Joe Sever followed with a single. A passed ball advanced the runners into scoring position, setting up an RBI single from Mike Papi. Slugger Bobby Bradley then slugged a three-run homer over the right field wall, giving Akron a 4-1 lead.
Lugo continued to evade trouble, pitching around a bases loaded situation in the fifth. Jerry Sands and K.C. Hobson connected on consecutive base hits and Brandon Bednar was hit by a pitch to fill the bases. However, Daniel Carbonell flew out on the first pitch and Jeff Arnold struck out to end the threat and finish the outing for Lugo. The lefty lasted just five innings, and allowed the one run on six hits in the win. Lugo (5-6) tossed 95 pitches and walked four, striking out seven
Coonrod rebounded quickly after the tough fourth inning. The righty worked around a base hit in the fifth and retired the side in order in the sixth. Coonrod returned for the seventh inning and recored the irst out before a bunt base hit and walk ended hs outing. Reliever Ryan Halstead entered and stranded both runners to preserve the line for Coonrod.
'Ducks reliever Nick Pasquale replaced Lugo in the sixth inning and relinquished a run without a hit. Pasquale walked the first two batters to begin the inning before a pair of groundouts pulled Richmond to within two, 4-2. Pasquale tossed 2.2 innings of relief and David Speer worked the final 1.1 to earn the save.
The Flying Squirrels continue a seven-game road trip on Saturday in Akron, Ohio. Richmond LHP Nate Reed is scheduled to make the start against LHP Matt Whitehosefor Akron. Individual tickets, mini plans and group packages for the season are available by contacting the Flying Squirrels box office at 804-359-3866 or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.
