Squirrels slip late against RubberDucks in 6-4 loss

RICHMOND, Va. – Petey Halpin hit a two-out, two-run triple in the ninth inning to lead the Akron RubberDucks to a 6-4 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday night at The Diamond.

In front of a near sellout crowd, the Flying Squirrels (3-5) dropped their third game in the five played so far against the RubberDucks (5-3) in the season-opening homestand.

After retiring the first two batters in the top of the ninth, Tyler Myrick (Loss, 0-2) surrendered back-to-back singles before Halpin’s triple put the RubberDucks ahead, 6-4.

Carter Howell worked a two-out walk in the bottom of the ninth, but Lenny Torres Jr. (Save, 3) induced a double play to end the game.

Bishop bounces one by and we're on the board early! pic.twitter.com/bRc9wsr6au

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 13, 2024

Akron opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run homer by Aaron Bracho, his second of the series. Hunter Bishop hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to close the score to 2-1.

In the second, Kody Huff grounded into a double play, scoring Joe Lampe, to extend the lead to 3-1.

Look out below! Logan Wyatt's got his first longball of the season 💪 pic.twitter.com/Wop5jJSGBT

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 13, 2024

The Flying Squirrels took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run homer by Logan Wyatt, his first of 2024.

Dayan Frias tied the score, 4-4, in the top of the sixth with a solo homer.

Wyatt walked and stole second in the bottom of the eighth but Akron reliever Andrew Walters (Win, 1-0) struck out the side to escape the jam.

The Flying Squirrels and RubberDucks conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. Right-hander Hayden Birdsong (0-1, 4.50) will be on the mound for Richmond opposed by Akron right-hander Aaron Davenport (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.

The first 1,000 kids ages 14 and under will receive a Nutasha Birthday Bobblehead presented by Seredni Tire & Auto. Squirrel Tails Kids Club members and their families are invited to play catch on the field from 12:45-1:05. Plus, kids ages 14 and under can run the bases postgame presented by Richmond Family Magazine.

Sign-ups for the 2024 Squirrel Tails Kids Club presented by Atlantic Union Bank are open now for kids ages 14 and younger. Membership includes a free general admission ticket to every Sunday home game and more.

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.