Birdsong, bullpen help lift Squirrels to series split
RICHMOND, Va. – Hayden Birdsong struck out eight batters over four strong innings and Grant McCray launched his first Double-A home run as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels (4-5) split the six-game series against the RubberDucks (5-4)
RICHMOND, Va. – Hayden Birdsong struck out eight batters over four strong innings and Grant McCray launched his first Double-A home run as the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.
The Flying Squirrels (4-5) split the six-game series against the RubberDucks (5-4) in their first homestand of the 2024 season.
YO ADRIÁN! WE TOOK THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/pahZIRjQRq
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 14, 2024
With the score tied, 1-1, entering the sixth inning, Adrián Sugastey hit a go-ahead single against Akron reliever Bradley Hanner (Loss, 0-1).
McCRAY MAGIC! 💥
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 14, 2024
Grant's got his first Double-A dinger and we've got a 5-1 lead after six! pic.twitter.com/WeaZ2euceO
Two batters later, McCray hit a three-run homer to extend the Flying Squirrels’ lead to 5-1, his first Double-A home run.
The RubberDucks opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a solo homer by Alexfri Planez. It was the only run allowed by Birdsong over his four innings. He finished the game with eight strikeouts, tying his Double-A career high.
A hot shot off the bat of Luis Toribio and we're tied in the fourth! pic.twitter.com/DABP5Kzkby
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 14, 2024
In the bottom of the fourth, the Flying Squirrels tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI single by Luis Toribio.
In his third Double-A outing, Richmond reliver Eric Silva (Win, 1-0) pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two batters.
José Cruz entered in the top of the seventh and recorded two outs but left with the bases loaded. He was replaced by Evan Gates (Save, 1), who worked a groundout from Chase DeLauter to escape the jam. Gates also stranded runners on second and third in the eighth inning.
The Flying Squirrels begin a six-game road series against the Harrisburg Senators on Tuesday night at FNB Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Following next week’s road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond for a six-game series against the Bowie Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. 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.
The Flying Squirrels (4-5) split the six-game series against the RubberDucks (5-4) in their first homestand of the 2024 season.
With the score tied, 1-1, entering the sixth inning, Adrián Sugastey hit a go-ahead single against Akron reliever Bradley Hanner (Loss, 0-1).
Two batters later, McCray hit a three-run homer to extend the Flying Squirrels’ lead to 5-1, his first Double-A home run.
The RubberDucks opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a solo homer by Alexfri Planez. It was the only run allowed by Birdsong over his four innings. He finished the game with eight strikeouts, tying his Double-A career high.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Flying Squirrels tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI single by Luis Toribio.
In his third Double-A outing, Richmond reliver Eric Silva (Win, 1-0) pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two batters.
José Cruz entered in the top of the seventh and recorded two outs but left with the bases loaded. He was replaced by Evan Gates (Save, 1), who worked a groundout from Chase DeLauter to escape the jam. Gates also stranded runners on second and third in the eighth inning.
The Flying Squirrels begin a six-game road series against the Harrisburg Senators on Tuesday night at FNB Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Following next week’s road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond for a six-game series against the Bowie Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. 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.