AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels were swept in a doubleheader by the Akron RubberDucks, losing the first game, 3-1, before a 4-3, walk-off loss in the second game on Friday night at 7 17 Credit Union Park.
The Flying Squirrels (73-55, 30-30 second half) have lost three straight to the RubberDucks (64-63, 29-30) this week.
Game 1
One swing supplied enough offense for the Akron RubberDucks over the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 3-1, in the first game of Friday night’s doubleheader.
With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Nolan Schubart hit a three-run homer against Richmond starter Niko Mazza (Loss, 0-1) to open a 3-0 Akron lead.
Mazza, making his Double-A debut, held the RubberDucks to two baserunners over the rest of his outing, finishing his day with three runs allowed on four hits with five strikeouts over five innings.
Akron starter Franklin Gomez threw five scoreless innings and allowed three hits.
In the top of the seventh, Jack Payton led off with a single and Jancel Villarroel doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs. Akron reliever Sean Matson (Save, 2) struck out the next two batters before Trevor Cohen singled in the Flying Squirrels’ first run of the game.
Matson worked a flyout from the next batter to end the game.
Wilkin Ramos made his Richmond debut and worked around a walk for a scoreless sixth inning.
Game 2
The Flying Squirrels dropped the second game of the doubleheader, 4-3, in extra innings.
Tied, 2-2, entering the top of the eighth, Trevor Cohen singled to give the Flying Squirrels a 3-2 lead against RubberDucks reliever Cam Walty (Win, 1-0).
In the bottom of the eighth, Ryan Cesarini led off with a walk by Marquis Johnson (Loss, 2-3) and a wild pitch moved runners to second and third with no outs. After a groundout and a strikeout, Nolan Schubart drove a 3-2 pitch to the left-field wall, scoring two runs to end the game.
In the top of the first, Cohen led off with a walk, stole second and later scored on a double steal to open a 1-0 Flying Squirrels lead.
The RubberDucks tied the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the second with a solo homer by Jace LaViolette.
Richmond moved back ahead, 2-1, in the top of the second with a two-out single by Zane Zielinski to score Zander Darby.
Akron tied the score, 2-2, in bottom of the fifth. Alex Mooney led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Maick Collado.
Charlie McDaniel started for the Flying Squirrels and held the RubberDucks to two runs over six innings with four strikeouts.
Tyler Vogel pitched a scoreless seventh inning.
The series continues Saturday night. Left-hander Jacob Bresnahan (0-0, 5.40) will make his second Double-A start for Richmond opposed by Akron left-hander Rafe Schlesinger (4-4, 4.67). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Following the road trip, the Flying Squirrels return home for their final series of the regular season against the Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, from Sept. 8-13. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Tickets for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.