AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels surrendered 10 unanswered runs in the late innings and lost to the Akron RubberDucks, 13-4, on Wednesday nigh at 7 17 Credit Union Park.
The Flying Squirrels (73-53, 30-28 second half) dropped to 14-6 against the RubberDucks (62-63, 27-30) this year.
Akron took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. With two outs and two strikes, Jaison Chourio drove a single to bring home Alex Mooney against Richmond starter Miguel Mendez.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jake Fox led off with a triple before Mendez recorded a strikeout to end his start. Reliever Jack Choate walked the first three batters he faced, forcing in a run. Aaron Walton brought in a run on a fielder’s choice to open a 3-0 RubberDucks lead.
Mendez had five strikeouts over 4.1 innings, his longest outing since being traded from the Padres last month. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk.
The Flying Squirrels tied the score, 3-3, in the top of the sixth. Jean Carlos Sió led off with a double and later scored on a passed ball. Later in the inning, Sabin Ceballos belted a two-run homer to even the score against Akron starter Braylon Doughty (Win, 2-2).
The RubberDucks stormed back ahead in the bottom of the sixth against Manuel Mercedes (Loss, 2-2). Akron loaded the bases with a single and two walks, setting up a two-run double by Alex Mooney. Ryan Cesarini followed with a three-run homer to open an 8-3 lead.
Akron scored four in the seventh and one in the eighth to push its lead to 13-3.
Ahuna led off the ninth with a single and later scored on a groundout by Zander Darby.
The series continues Thursday night. Right-hander Niko Mazza will start for Richmond in his Double-A debut opposed by Akron right-hander Franklin Gomez (0-0, 8.10). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron.
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.