Funnville - The Flying Squirrels (42-44) ended a six-game slide on Saturday with a 6-2 win over the Akron RubberDucks (51-37) in front of a sellout crowd of 9,860 fans at The Diamond. Conner Menez lasted seven innings to earn his third win of the season and the dormant Richmond
Funnville - The Flying Squirrels (42-44) ended a six-game slide on Saturday with a 6-2 win over the Akron RubberDucks (51-37) in front of a sellout crowd of 9,860 fans at The Diamond. Conner Menez lasted seven innings to earn his third win of the season and the dormant Richmond offense picked up nine hits, including three from Jerry Sands. Sands hit his 13th home run of the season and his league-leading 24th double of the year. The Squirrels will wrap up their five-game homestand on Sunday afternoon. Sunday in Funnville features a Beach Towel Giveaway to the first 1,00 fans (14 and under) presented by Pepsi.
Richmond left-hander Conner Menez tossed a season-high (tying) seven innings to earn the win. Working in his fifth start for the Flying Squirrels, Menez (3-1) allowed a pair of runs on five hits. He walked one, struck out five and used 99 pitches to pull Richmond out of their six game slide. Menez became the Richmond starter to go seven innings in an outing this year, joining Shaun Anderson and Jordan Johnson (twice).
Richmond grabbed their first lead of the series with a pair of runs in the second inning. With two outs, Jonah Arenado lined a single into center field. Caleb Gind then dribbled a ball between first base and the pitcher's mound. GIndl reached on a base hit as the first baseman Bobby Bradley tossed the ball passed the pitcher covering the base, moving Arenado to third. Brady then unleashed a wild pitch and Ali Castillo bounced a double over the glove of Joe Sever at third, plating both runners for a 2-0 lead.
Jerry Sands put the Squirrels up 3-0 with a solo home run in the third. Sands drilled his 13th homer of the season over the right centerfield fence. Ryan Howard also walked in the inning but was nullified when Brady induced his second double play of the game.
Akron countered with a pair of runs off of Menez in the top of the fourth inning. Bobby Bradley and Mark Mathias opened up the inning with doubles. Connor Marabell then struck again against Richmond as he knocked a two-run base hit into right field. Marabell has driven in eight runs in the series so far and 12 overall against Richmond this year. Menez recovered after the three hits, getting Marabell attempting to advance on a ball in the dirt for the first out of the inning. Tyler Kreiger and Daniel Salters each flew out to right field to end the frame with the Squirrels leading, 3-2.
The Squirrels ambushed Brady in the fifth and knocked him out of the contests after just 4.1 innings worked. Ali Castillo opened the fifth by roping a triple into center field. Matt Lipka made it a 4-2 contest by looping a two-strike pitch into shallow right centerfield. After Brady popped up CJ Hinojosa, Jerry Sands and Ryan Howard blasted an RBI doubles for a 6-2 lead. Sands' double was his league-leading 24th of the season.
Menez departed after seven strong frames and was replaced by Carlos Diaz to start the eighth. Diaz worked the final two innings by not allowing a run to finish the game.
The Flying Squirrels conclude their five -game Independence Day Weekend homestand on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. RHP Chase Johnson (0-1, 2.59) will make the start for Richmond against Akron RHP Triston McKenzie (3-2, 3.34). Sunday in Funnville features a free Beach Towel Giveaway (1st 1,000 fans 14 and under) presented by Pepsi. Gates open at 1:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online over the phone by calling 804-359-3866 (FUNN).
