EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Flying Squirrels Capture Opener, 6-2

Published on June 22, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Richmond Flying Squirrels won their first game against the Aeros this season by the final score of 6-2 at Canal Park Tuesday night. Richmond starter Mike MacDonald was brilliant in front of the 5,652 fans in downtown Akron as he delivered his finest start of the year and the visitors led the entire way after scoring four runs in the very first inning. The loss was the sixth in eight contests for the reeling Aeros (34-36) while the fourth-place Flying Squirrels (33-38) broke a five-game losing streak with the victory.

Richmond attacked in the top of the first against surprise Aeros starter Kelvin De La Cruz as the lefty allowed back-to-back one-out walks. Squirrels right fielder Roger Kieschnick then delivered a huge two-run double on a towering fly ball to center field and Michael Ambort plated him with another single to make it 3-0. Three batters later, catcher Jackson Williams provided the frame's final run on a sacrifice fly to right field.

De La Cruz settled down after that and the contest was scoreless from the bottom of the first through the end of the seventh inning. Kieschnick helped the visitors strike again in the top of the eighth on an RBI single against Akron reliever Chen-Chang Lee. The Squirrels followed with three straight walks including a two-out run-scoring free pass permitted by new relief pitcher Shane Lindsay.

Akron's offense followed immediately with a dramatic bottom of the eighth with the hosts still trailing Richmond 6-0. Shortstop Carlos Rivero homered on just the second pitch of the inning from MacDonald on a deep fly ball to the canal in left. An error and two bases on balls followed while third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall drew another RBI walk to cut the deficit to just four. Flying Squirrels reliever Tony Pena Jr., the fourth pitcher of the frame, then struck out Matt McBride looking to strand the bases loaded.

The ninth inning went smoothly from there as Lindsay allowed just one hit by pitch and Pena retired all three Aeros hitters to end the comeback attempt.

De La Cruz (1-4) took the loss after serving as a last-minute replacement for scheduled Akron starter Eric Berger, who was suffering from back stiffness. He permitted the first four runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings pitched. MacDonald improved to 2-6 on the season with the win as he allowed just two singles, a walk and the solo home run in 7.1 innings pitched while Pena earned his fifth save.

Rivero's homer in the seventh was his third of the season and was a clutch hit to start the rally after he previously hit into double plays in the second and fifth innings. Chisenhall was the only Aero to reach base twice with his run-scoring walk and a single while second baseman Jason Kipnis went 0-for-3 to end his eight-game Double-A hitting streak.

This three-game series continues Wednesday night as the Aeros and Flying Squirrels have a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Canal Park. Fans can purchase Family Pack specials of four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four soft drinks for just $48, a savings of $28! Because of Berger's late scratch, Akron has yet to announce their first pitcher for tomorrow while Felix Romero (0-1, 4.60 ERA) is Richmond's expected starter. Wednesday's game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.

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Eastern League Stories from June 22, 2010


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