The Richmond Flying Squirrels (42-38) held off the Akron RubberDucks (43-40), 2-1, through a persistent light rain at The Diamond on Sunday night. With the win, the Squirrels overtook Akron for third place in the Western Division. They also claimed the series.
Myles Schroder jolted the Squirrels in front hurriedly against Akron right-hander Jordan Cooper. Schroder led off the first inning with a solo-home run blasted to right field. Schroder’s fourth of the season gave Richmond the lead, 1-0.
The Squirrels cashed in a leadoff walk issued to Engel Beltre to stretch their lead in the fifth. Beltre stole second base and scored for a 2-0 advantage when Jesus Galindo singled to right field.
Richmond lefty Adalberto Mejia (4-0) maneuvered around a career-high five walks to blank the RubberDucks over six innings. He allowed just two hits, both singles, and struck out three. He remained undefeated on the year, earning his fourth consecutive victory.
Cooper (0-1) worked into the sixth inning, but retired during the frame. He was charged with two earned runs on five hits across 5 1/3 innings. He walked three, struck out three and endured his first loss of the season.
Right-hander Joan Gregorio finished the seventh for Mejia and returned for the eighth. He struck out the first two batters, but then conceded a solo-home run to Ronny Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s fifth of the season was to left field and cut the Richmond lead in half, 2-1. Right-hander Jose Casilla entered to record the final out of the eighth inning.
He returned for the ninth. He retired the side in order to earn his second save of the season. Beltre made a highlight-reel diving catch to end the ballgame.
The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Monday night at The Diamond. Richmond RHP Tyler Beede (1-3, 4.15) will make the start against Akron LHP Ryan Merritt (5-6, 3.55). The Flying Squirrels Pregame Warmup will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com.
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Chris Graham
