Richmond’s Cory Taylor tossed six solid innings to lead the Flying Squirrels (25-22) in a 5-3 win over the Akron RubberDucks (30-21) on Memorial Day at Canal Park. Taylor allowed just two runs on four hits, earning his seventh win of the year. Richmond split the four-game series against Akron and will return home to open a brief three-game series against the Bowie Baysox on Tuesday at The Diamond, starting with a Camo Cap Giveaway (1st 1,000 fans, 15+). Tickets and details for the upcoming homestand in Funnville can be found here.
The RubberDucks grabbed an early 2-0 lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings on Monday. Squirrels starting pitcher Cory Taylor walked Bradley Zimmer (MLB rehab) and allowed a base hit to Lonnie Chisenhall (MLB rehab) to open the first inning. After Brandon Guyer (MLB rehab) grounded into a double play, Bobby Bradley reached on an infield hit, scoring Zimmer from third for a 1-0 advantage. Willi Castro scored the second Akron run in the second, reaching on a leadoff double and scoring on a sacrifice fly to left.
Richmond tied the game with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Akron hurler Jake Paulson record the first two outs but ran into trouble when Tyler Brown singled into centerfield. Paulson then walked Luigi Rodriguez and Jerry Sands, loading the bases for Ryan Howard. Howard promptly laced a two-run single into right field, tying the game, 2-2. Paulson was removed after four innings and received a no-decision.
Taylor took off after allowing the pair of runs in the first two frames. Taylor retired eight consecutive batters heading into the fifth inning and set down 13 of the final 14 batters he faced. Taylor (7-1) worked six innings to earn the win. The righty allowed just two runs and four hits. He walked two and struck out two, using 87 pitches in the effort.
The Squirrels struck again with two outs in the fifth inning, taking the lead, 5-2. Facing reliever Jon Edwards, K.C. Hobson and Ronnie Jebavy each worked a walk to extend the inning. Newcomer Tyler Brown then lined a base hit into right field, scoring Hobson for a 3-2 lead. Akron replaced Edwards with RHP Jordan Milbrath to try and end the inning and Milbrath and relinquished a two-run single to Rodriguez for a 5-2 Richmond lead. Rodriguez and Brown each had two hits in the contest.
Connor Overton and Dan Slania each tossed a scoreless inning out of the ‘pen for the Squirrels and Dillon McNamara closed the game to earn his second save. McNamara allowed double and a run, before getting the final out to end the game.
The Squirrels and Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) open up a three-game series on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond. RHP Shaun Anderson (5-2, 2.70) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Lucas Long (1-5, 4.08) for Baltimore.
Tuesday is an extended Memorial Day weekend celebration with a Camo Cap Giveaway. Tickets and details for the upcoming homestand in Funnville can be found here.
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