The Akron Aeros (52-53) continued their mastery of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (48-57) on Thursdaynight at Canal Park, strolling to a, 5-1, win in the opener of a four-game series. Akron has now taken five of the six ballgames played between the two clubs this season.
The Aeros opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning against Richmond righty Taylor Rogers. With one out, Francisco Lindor blasted a solo-home run to right-center field. The first at the Double-A level for the 19-year old gave Akron a 1-0 lead. Ronny Rodriguez followed with a single and swiped second base. Cedric Hunter then doubled into the right-field corner to bring home Rodriguez for a 2-0 advantage.
Eastern League ERA leader Matt Packer was very sharp for the Aeros. The lefty held off the Squirrels through the first six innings. However, Andrew Susac led off the seventh inning and put Richmond on the board with a solo-home run to left field. Susac’s 12th of the year pulled the Squirrels within a run, 2-1.
Packer (10-2) retired to the win after 6 1/3 innings. He allowed just the lone run on six hits. He walked two and struck out six, improving to 4-0 against Richmond lifetime. The victory was his ninth consecutive winning decision.
Akron grabbed firm control of the ballgame and chased Rogers from it in the seventh inning. Rogers walked Giovanny Urshela to start trouble and Kyle Bellows doubled to put runners at second and third. Lindor then notched his third hit of the night off Rogers. Lindor laced a two-run single to right-center field, stretching the Akron lead to 4-1. Rogers was lifted in favor of righty Drew Bowlin. Later in the inning, Bowling allowed Lindor to come home on a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring for the evening, 5-1.
Rogers (5-7) was charged with all five runs for the Aeros, and was saddled with the loss. He worked six innings, conceding nine hits, walking three and striking out three.
Right-handers Jeff Johnson and Trey Haley finished the ballgame for Akron. Johnson retired all five batters that he faced, and Haley had little trouble in the ninth inning.
Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Friday night at Canal Park. Richmond LHP Chris Gloor (7-5, 3.63) will make the start against Akron RHP Brett Brach (6-6, 4.59). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Sports Radio 910, SportsRadio910.com and IHeart Radio.
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Chris Graham
