Six-run fifth sinks Squirrels on Sunday

The Akron RubberDucks (30-20) plated six runs in the fifth inning to down the Flying Squirrels (24-22) 8-3 on Sunday evening at Canal Park. Akron utilized three home runs, including a two-run shot from Cleveland Indians rehabbing outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall in the win.

Richmond’s Dylan Davis also homered and gathered three more hits in the defeat. The final game of the road trip will be on Mondayafternoon at 1:05 p.m. Richmond returns home to The Diamond for an extended Memorial Day weekend celebration on Tuesday, May 29 with a Camo Cap Giveaway. Tickets and details for the upcoming homestand in Funnville can be found here.

‘Ducks starting pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang and Richmond newcomer Taylor Hill were both in control through the first three innings of the contest Sunday. Chiang punched out four of the first six batters he faced, while Hill retired six consecutive batters after a leadoff single in the first.

Hill’s momentum was disrupted briefly on the first pitch of the third inning. Catcher Sicnarf Loopstock drilled the first offering over the left field wall to give the ‘Ducks a 1-0 advantage. Hill quickly recovered by retiring the next three batters to end the inning. Dylan Davis countered with a solo home run in the fifth. Davis drilled a two-strike pitch deep over the left field wall, tying the game, 1-1. It was the sixth home run of the year for Davis.

Hill could only keep Akron at bay for so long, as the RubberDucks took advantage of two errors and two homers in a six-run fifth inning. Sam Haggerty opened the scoring in the inning with one-out solo home run over the right field wall. Cleveland Indians rehabbing outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall created some separation with a two-run bomb, giving Akron a 4-1 lead. Chisenhall’s homer followed an error that allowed Bradley Zimmer to reach. After Brandon Guyer reached on a missed flyball in center, Hill retired Bobby Bradley for his last batter faced. Will LaMarche entered and yielded consecutive RBI hits to Joe Sever Andrew Calica and Willie Castro. Castor’s single made it a 7-1 Akron lead.

Hill (0-1) worked 4,2 innings in his Richmond debut. The former Nationals hurler allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. LaMarche settled once he was able to get out of the dreaded fifth. LaMarche retire the last nine hitters he faced on the outing.

Richmond attempted to chip away at the lead, moving Shao-Ching Chiang out of the game in the seventh. Dylan Davis reached on an infield single with one out in the seventh and Aramis Garcia struck out, ending Chang’s outing. Reliever Argenis Angulo entered and allowed an RBI single to Ronnie Jebavy, pulling Richmond to within five, 7-2.

Chiang (5-1) earned the win, his second of the season against Richmond. The Taiwanese righty allowed just two runs over 6.2 innings of work. He walked one and struck out six on 93 pitches.

The Squirrels plated their final run on the eighth when Jerry Sands knocked in Ali Castillo on a sacrifice fly to center. Castillo reached on a walk and moved to third on a base hit from Luigi Rodriguez. Rodriguez had two hits in the contest.

Caleb Simpson tossed the bottom of the eighth and allowed a run on three walks. Simpson loaded the bases and Dorssys Paulino brought home the final run of the game on a sacrifice fly for an 8-3 final .

The Squirrels and RubberDucks conclude the four-game series on Monday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Right-hander Cory Taylor will make the start for Richmond against Akron righty Jake Paulson (3-1, 2.25). Richmond returns home to The Diamond for an extended Memorial Day weekend celebration on Tuesday, May 29 with a Camo Cap Giveaway. Tickets and details for the upcoming homestand in Funnville can be found here.