The Squirrels (64-65) struggled to hold onto a one-run lead late on Thursday night in Akron as the RubberDucks (68-63) stole the series opener 6-5 at Canal Park. Richmond entered the bottom of the eighth with a 5-4 lead but Akron plated a pair of runs off Tyler Mizenko to win their first game of the year against the Squirrels. Ricky Oropesa provided three hits, including a home run and three RBIs in the loss. Tyler Beede will start game two of the series of Friday night in Akron.
Akron rallied in the eighth inning off Mizenko with a leadoff homer from Eric Stamets to tie the game 5-5. Justin Toole then singled and moved to second base on a walk to Carlos Moncrief. Yandy Diaz lined a ball past the runner Moncrief and into left field to score the go-ahead run. Jeff Johnson closed out the game for Akron in the top of the ninth with the help of a game-saving catch from Moncrief in right field.
Richmond took advantage of an early Akron miscue in the first to grab 1-0 lead off starting pitcher Adam Plutko. Rando Moreno began the game with a lazy fly ball to leftfield that was dropped by the shortstop Eric Stamets as he brushed up against the leftfielder Bryson Myles. Juan Ciriaco then brought in Moreno with a base hit to centerfield. The single extended Ciraco’s hitting streak to a season-high five games.
Ricky Oropesa unloaded on his 13th home run of the year with a blast into the picnic area in right field for a 2-0 Richmond lead. The RubberDucks battled back against Chase Johnson with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game and force Richmond into the bullpen. Phil McCormick entered with the game tied and bases loaded but induced a groundout to end the inning. Johnson allowed two runs on sic hit with three walks in the no decision.
Akron forged ahead for the first time with a pair of runs off Jose Casilla in the sixth inning for a 4-2 lead. Casilla walked the first batter and then threw errantly on a bunt to put runners on second and third. Toole was then walked to load the bases and Bryson Myles grounded a ball to shortstop that scored both runs when the attempted double play throw at second base was wild past the first baseman Oropesa.
Richmond summoned a rally of their own with three runs in the eighth against reliever Casey Weathers. Rando Moreno and Mitch Delfino both singled and scored when Oropesa grounded a base hit into right field. Jesus Galindo then pinch ran for Oropesa and scored on a single to give the Squirrels a brief 5-4 advantage. Mizenko (4-3) was charged with the blown save and loss. Akron reliever Luis Head (3-3) earned the win despite pitching to just one hitter and allowing a single.
The Squirrels eight game road trip continues Friday with game two in Akron. Squirrels RHP Tyler Beede (2-8, 5.35) will make the start against Akron LHP Shawn Morimando (9-11, 3.24). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with the Pregame Warmup beginning at 6:35 PM on Fox Sports 910 and FoxSportsRichmond.com. The Remaining Squirrels promotional schedule is as follows: (9/4) Free Shirt Fridays, Happy Hour & Ladies Night. (9/5) Superblast Saturday and 20th Anniversary of Billy Madison. (9/6) Kids Club Metal Lunchbox Giveaway. (9/7) Bark In the Park #3 – Labor Day.
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