Schmitt launches first Double-A homer in Richmond defeat

The Richmond Flying Squirrels had the potential tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth, but fell short in their comeback effort in a 4-2 loss against the Akron RubberDucks Friday night at Canal Park.

The Flying Squirrels (56-61, 16-32) have dropped each of their last three games against the RubberDucks (68-50, 27-21) on the road trip.

Jhonkensy Noel pushed Akron ahead to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with an RBI double.

Carter Aldrete tied the game at 1-1 with a ground-rule double that scored Armani Smith from second base in the second inning.

Facing Akron starter Jaime Arias in the second inning, Casey Schmitt belted a solo home run to left field and gave Richmond a 2-1 lead. It was Schmitt’s first home run at Double-A and his 18th overall this season.

Raynel Delgado smacked a two-RBI double in the fourth inning off Richmond starter Matt Frisbee (Loss, 5-9) to give Akron a 3-2 advantage.

In the sixth inning, Delgado brought home a run with a triple to pad the RubberDucks lead to 4-2.

In his Double-A debut, left-handed pitcher John Gavin tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts. He entered the game in the sixth with two outs and stranded a runner at third base.

Jordan Jones (Win, 2-0) pitched two scoreless frames with one hit allowed and two strikeouts.

Richmond started the ninth inning with back-to-back baserunners, including the tying run at first, but a double play and a strikeout by Akron reliever Cade Smith (Save, 5) stopped the rally.

The series continues Sartuday night. Right-hander Landen Roupp (0-1, 9.00) will start for Richmond, opposed by Akron right-hander Gavin Williams (2-3, 2.16). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park in Akron.

After this week’s road series, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond for a six-game series against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, from August 30-September 4. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.

The Flying Squirrels will host their first playoff game since 2014 on Thursday, September 22 at The Diamond. Tickets for all potential playoff games in Richmond are on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com.