Squirrels homer three times in eighth for comeback win

RICHMOND, Va. – Three homers in the eighth inning lifted the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 5-3, come-from-behind win over the Akron RubberDucks on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.

The Flying Squirrels (20-18) moved back into first place in the Southwest Division and split this week’s six-game series against the RubberDucks (19-19).

MARC💣 LUCIAN💣 pic.twitter.com/ebhbAsvQkQ

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 21, 2023

Down by a run entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Flying Squirrels hit a pair of home runs to take the lead. Marco Luciano led off the frame with a solo homer, his fourth of the year., to tie the score, 3-3.

Mighty Aldrete 💪 pic.twitter.com/fzkerR7P7N

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 21, 2023

Two batters later, Carter Aldrete homered to center to give the Flying Squirrels a 4-3 lead against Akron reliever Zach Hart (Loss, 0-1).

BACK ✌️ BACK 💣 pic.twitter.com/lm96txIPcd

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 21, 2023

After a pitching change, Andy Thomas launched a solo homer to right-center, extending the lead to 5-3.

Richmond reliever Raymond Burgos (Win, 2-1) stranded the bases loaded in the top of the ninth to end the game.

The RubberDucks took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out, two-run homer by Johnathan Rodriguez against Richmond starter Mason Black. Black worked four innings and allowed two runs with five strikeouts on the day.

Andy Thomas drives in Marco Luciano and we’re all tied up pic.twitter.com/9opyIhGMMj

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 21, 2023

In the bottom of the first, Aldrete brought in a run with a groundout and Thomas followed with a two-out RBI single to tie the game, 2-2.

Juan Sanchez took over to start the fifth inning and threw 1.2 scoreless frames with three strikeouts.

With the game tied, 2-2, entering the eighth, the RubberDucks worked three walks against Randy Rodriguez to load the bases with two outs. Korey Holland reached on a fielding error by Hayden Cantrelle, bringing in a run to give Akron a 3-2 lead.

The Flying Squirrels open a six-game series in Binghamton on Tuesday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. at Mirabito Stadium. Right-hander Kai-Wei Teng (0-2, 2.93) will be on the mound for Richmond.

Following the road trip, the Flying Squirrels for 12 straight home games from May 30-June 11. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.