The Richmond Flying Squirrels (43-38) completed a three-game sweep of the Akron RubberDucks (43-41) with a, 5-2, victory in the series finale at The Diamond on Monday night. The series was the first between the two clubs this season.
Richmond right-hander Tyler Beede made a perfect first pass through the Akron order, retiring the first nine batters he faced. However, the RubberDucks got to him for the first two runs of the night in the fourth. Beede started his own trouble with a one-out walk issued to Ryan Rohlinger, who was then forced by Yandy Diaz. Anthony Gallas followed and clubbed an RBI double off the wall in right field. Carlos Moncrief then knocked in Gallas for a 2-0 lead with a single to right-center field.
The Squirrels were stymied by lefty Ryan Merritt through the first four innings, but offered a four-run response in the fifth. Like Beede, Merritt created his own trouble by issuing a one-out walk to Jackson Williams. Jesus Galindo and Myles Schroder then supplied back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. Rando Moreno followed and punched a two-run double up the right-field line to tie the game, 2-2. Merritt recorded the second out, but Mitch Delfino gave the Squirrels their first lead, 4-2, when he singled through the hole on the left side of the infield.
Merritt (5-7) lasted just five innings, conceding four earned runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out eight. He was saddled with his seventh loss of the season.
Beede (2-3) worked seven strong innings, allowing just two runs. He permitted just four hits, walked three and struck out five. He earned his second win at the level.
Right-hander Kyle Crick walked the bases loaded, but also struck out two in the eighth inning. He was relieved by lefty Braulio Lara who recorded the final out. Right-hander Derek Law then closed it out in the ninth to earn his third save.
Richmond tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. Hunter Cole triggered the inning with a leadoff double. He scored a batter later when Ricky Oropesa lifted a sacrifice-fly to right field.
The Squirrels will open a three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) at The Diamond on Tuesday night. The opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as Richmond RHP Edwin Quirarte (0-1, 4.94) will make the start against Akron RHP Austin Voth (3-5, 3.44). 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
