The Richmond offense collected seven hits on the night but left 11 runners on base, including the potential tying run in the top of the ninth.
The RubberDucks (45-43, 10-9), the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, pulled ahead, 2-0, in the top of the first inning against Richmond starter Nick Zwack (Loss, 5-6). Johnathan Rodriguez launched a ground-rule double and Juan Brito drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly.
Akron extended its advantage to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bryce Ball launched a solo home run to right field.
Richmond (44-44, 11-8), the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, collected a single, hit-by-pitch and a walk to load the bases in the top of the fifth inning but Akron starter Doug Nikhazy (Win, 3-5) induced a flyout and a strikeout to hold the Flying Squirrels scoreless. Nikhazy finished his start with six strikeouts over five innings of work.
Angel Martinez upped the Akron advantage to 5-0 in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run homer.
Richmond answered back with three runs in the eighth to cut the deficit to 5-3. After a leadoff walk by Brandon Martorano, a base hit pushed him to third base and he later scored off a wild pitch. With runners at first and second, Jimmy Glowenke hammered a two-run double to right-center field and made it a two-run game.
Glowenke has picked up six hits and eight RBIs over three games against the RubberDucks.
Franco Aleman (Save, 2) allowed a leadoff single and put the potential tying run at first base off a hit-by-pitch with one out. Aleman responded with back-to-back strikeouts to close out the Akron win.
The Flying Squirrels continue the series against the RubberDucks Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Canal Park. Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt (0-1, 4.02) will start for Richmond opposed by Akron right-hander Jack Leftwich (4-4, 7.15).
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Chris Graham
