Suarez stymies Akron, Squirrels win opener

Flying Squirrels lefty Andrew Suarez matched a career-high with ten strikeouts, sinking the RubberDucks, 6-2 on Monday night at The Diamond.

Richmond (38-55) racked up 11 hits, including three from leadoff man Steven Duggar, to take the series opener. Suarez lasted seven innings and allowed just two runs on four hits to earn the win.

Lefty Andrew Suarez was sharp at the outset for Richmond. Suarez struck out Jeremy Lucas and Clint Fraizer to close out the first inning after a walk. Richmond backed Suarez with a run in the bottom of the first with Steven Duggar opening the frame with a triple into the alley in right-centerfield. Brandon Bednar then continued his production at the Double-A level as he brought in Duggar with a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Bednar now has 14 runs batted in just 18 games.

Akron quickly recovered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. Suarez punched out the first two hitters of the inning but was then beat on a soft, infield single that was chopped over his head. Former UVA standout Mike Papi then added a double and Todd Hankins brought them both home with a line drive single to right. Suarez regained composure and struck out the next hitter to end the inning. The southpaw struck out six batters through the first threeinnings.

Richmond returned fire to regain the lead in the bottom of the second against Akron starter D.J. Brown. Ryder Jones initiated the offense with a one-out base hit. Carlos Moncrief followed with a walk and Darren Ford then drilled a two-run double off the left-centerfield wall. Steven Duggar made it a 4-2 contest with anotherRichmond base hit.

Suarez, who had not received much run support since arriving in Richmond, pitched well with thelead and cruised into the later innings. The lefty retired the side in the fifth and again in the sixth. He struck out designated hitter Jeremy Lucas to start the sixth and bookended that by whiffing Nellie Rodriguez. The Miami product tallied a Double-A high nine K’s though the first six innings. He matched his career high in the seventh by punching out Todd Hankins.

The Squirrels added a run to take a 6-2 lead in the fifth and forced the early exit for Brown. Cole singled and scored on an RBI single to left from Steve Lerud. Brown then loaded the bases and was removed with runners on and one out in the inning. Reliever Robbie Aviles managed to bail Brown out by picking up a double play on his first pitch to end the threat. Brown suffered the loss and allowed six runs on 10 hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Richmond rode Suarez through seven innings to pick up his third win of the season. Suarez allowed just the two runs on four hits. He used 105 pitches and was relieved to start the eighth inning by Preston Claiborne. Claiborne tossed a scoreless eighth and Tyler Mizenko finished the game with a 1-2-3 ninth. The win improved the Squirrels to 3-1 against Akron on the year.