Richmond Flying Squirrels complete sweep of RubberDucks

The Richmond Flying Squirrels finished off a three game sweep of the Akron RubberDucks, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon at The Diamond. Richmond (51-46) plated the go-ahead run in the eight inning and RHP Tyler Mizenko earned the win by pitching the final to frames. The victory closed out a 6-2 homestand for the Squirrels and Richmond improved to 6-0 vs. Akron on the year. The team begins a seven game road trip on Thursday in Erie.

With the game tied at 3-3 in the eighth inning, Richmond scored a pair of runs against All-Star reliever Josh Martin. Ricky Oropesa walked to open the inning and was quickly removed for pinch runner Jesus Galindo. Austin Slater then executed a sacrifice bunt and with two outs Myles Schroder lifted a single to center. Schroder took second on the throw home and later scored on a similar hit from Jackson Williams. Tyler Mizenko (4-1) earned the win by pitching the final two scoreless innings.

Akron tied the game 3-3 in the top of the eighth inning off reliever Braulio Lara. With one runner on outfielder Anthony Gallas launched a two-run homer to left. Lara then walked the next man to force Mizenko into the game. Akron eventually scored the tying run on a pinch hit single from Bryson Myles.

Mitch Delfino gave the Squirrels a 1-0 in the first against RHP Mike Clevinger. Engle Beltre walked to begin the first and was bunted up to second base on a sacrifice from Rando Moreno. Beltre moved to third on a groundout and scored on Delfino’s ground ball into centerfield.

Richmond made it 2-0 in the fifth on consecutive hits from Moreno and Cole. Engel Beltre made it 3-0 by scoring on an errant pick off throw while onb second base in the seventh. Clevinger received a no deicision in his 19^th start of the season. The Akron righty tossed 100 pitches in five and two thirds and allowed a pair of runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Squirrels LHP Kelvin Marte navigated some control issues in the early innings. The southpaw walked a season-high and career-high-tying five batters but allowed just hits over seven innings on 104 pitches. Akron had their best scoring opportunity snuffed out on a remarkable double play in the fifth inning. With tow runners aboard, Anthony Gallas smashed a liner towards third. Squirrels third baseman Delfino made a leaping grab for the out and promptly doubled off the runner at second base.

The Squirrels travel to Erie to open a seven game road trip on Thursday against the SeaWolves. Richmond LHP Matt Gage (1-0, 1.80) will start for the Squirrels against Erie RHP Chad Green (2-13, 5.04). First pitch is set for 7:05PM with the Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup starting at 6:35PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.