The Flying Squirrels (41-60) scored six runs in the seventh inning, en route to a convincing 10-4 win over Akron (54-50) on Tuesday at Canal Park. Seven-consecutive singles ignited the big seventh inning and Richmond collected 17 hits in the win. C.J Hinojosa, Christian Arroyo, Ryder Jones and Steve Lerud all had three-hit performances to lead the Squirrels in their third-consecutive win.
Richmond struck first in the first inning against Akron starter Rob Kaminsky. Steven Duggar began the game by working a walk and was erased on the bases when Christian Aroyo grounded out. Arroyo maneuvered his way to third base on a wild pitch and scored on Ryder Jones’ base hit to center field.
Jones added another RBI – his second of four in the game – with a groundout in the third. Christian Arroyo singled to start the frame and snuck up to second on another wild pitch. C.J Hinojosa advanced Arroyo to third base via a ground out to second and Jones brought him home on the same play for a 2-0 lead. Kaminsky reached 53 pitches through the first three innings, but retired the side in order in the fourth.
Matt Gage turned in another solid outing for the Squirrels on Tuesday but received no-decision. The lefty worked around lead off base hits in the first and second innings and kept Akron off the board through the first five innings. Gage hit a snag in the sixth, allowing the first three runners to reach. Joe Sever then pulled the RubberDucks ahead with a bases-clearing, three-run double. Sever’s double signaled the end for Gage as Richmond called for lefty Christian Jones. Jones walked a pair and sailed a wild pitch, allowing Sever to score to give Akron a 4-2 lead. Gage allowed the four runs on nine hits with five strikeouts over five innings of work.
Richmond would not be deterred by the big Akron inning, putting up six runs in the top of the seventh to retake the lead. Seven consecutive base hits opened up the frame to push the Squirrels ahead and send Kaminsky and reliever Cole Culser from the game. Steve Lerud and Darren Ford started the rally with base hits and Steven Duggar provided a run-scoring single to pull to within one, 4-3. Duggar’s single knocked Kaminsky out and he was replaced by reliever Cole Sulser. Christian Arroyo, C.J. Hinojoa, Ryder Jones and Hunter Cole all singled off of Sulser to take the lead. Lerud added the final blow – his second hit of the inning – with a two-run base hit for an 8-2 lead. Kaminsky picked up the loss over six innings worked. The lefty allowed five runs on seven hits. He tossed 98 pitches in the effort.
TheSquirrels continued to pound the Akron bullpen till the end. Richmond added a pair of runs in the eighth, to take a firm 10-4 lead. Christian Arroyo delivered his league-leading 30th double into right center field. Hinojosa added his third hit of the night and Ryder Jones connected on an RBI single, plating Arroyo. Hunter Cole capped the scoring with a base hit.
Christian Jones (2-4) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Carlos Alvarado, Jose Casilla and Rodolfo Martinez followed suite with an inning each to end the game.
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Chris Graham
