Whitman Caps Strong May But Squirrels Lose Late
Published on May 30, 2026 under Eastern League (EL)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
AKRON, Ohio - The Richmond Flying Squirrels surrendered seven runs in the eighth inning and lost to the Akron RubberDucks, 10-3, on Saturday night at 7 17 Credit Union Park.
The Flying Squirrels (34-15) had a three-game win streak snapped and had their Southwest Division lead trimmed to 7.5 games over the RubberDucks (27-23) and the Harrisburg Senators with 19 games remaining in the Eastern League's first half.
In the bottom of the second, Joe Lampe hit a one-out triple and scored on a groundout by Juan Benjamin to give the RubberDucks a 1-0 lead.
The run was the first allowed by Joe Whitman this month, snapping his scoreless streak at 24 innings, which matched a franchise record set by Tyler Rogers in 2016.
Whitman pitched six innings and allowed three runs in his outing, setting a season high with nine strikeouts. For the month of May, Whitman went 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA (3 ER/28.0 IP) and struck out 37 with five walks.
In the fourth, Alfonsin Rosario led off with a double and scored on a single by Alex Mooney, who later came home on a bunt by Joe Lampe to open a 3-0 Akron lead.
The Flying Squirrels cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the fifth when Ty Hanchey scored on a fielding error by Benjamin at first.
In the top of the seventh, Diego Velasquez and Hanchey hit back-to-back RBI singles to even the score, 3-3.
Adam Tulloch (Win, 2-0) threw 1.1 scoreless innings out of the Akron bullpen.
In the bottom of the seventh, Nick Mitchell led off with a single against Shane Rademacher (Loss, 0-2). Will Bednar took over and issued a walk and hit a batter to set up a go-ahead, two-run single by Mooney. Akron added to the lead with an RBI single by Lampe, a bases-loaded walk by Cameron Barstad, an error, a groundout and an RBI single by Jose Devers.
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Trystan Vrieling (1-0, 3.63) will start for Richmond opposed by Akron right-hander Justin Campbell (0-1, 1.72). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. in Akron.
The Flying Squirrels return to CarMax Park on Tuesday to begin a 12-game homestand from June 2-14. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office.
Eastern League Stories from May 30, 2026
- Late Inning Dominance Helps Ducks Down Richmond, 10-3 - Akron RubberDucks
- Rincon Homers, Fightins' Late Comeback Falls Short in 7-5 Loss - Reading Fightin Phils
- Senators Bats Roll Again, Top Fightin Phils 7-5 - Harrisburg Senators
- Wentworth Fires First Quality Start in Saturday Loss - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Baysox Drop Saturday Night Contest to SeaWolves - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs Come up Short in 4-3 Loss - Portland Sea Dogs
- Whitman Caps Strong May But Squirrels Lose Late - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Carr Strikes Out Career-High 10 As Somerset Stings New Hampshire on Saturday - Somerset Patriots
- Wentworth Fires First Quality Start in Saturday Loss - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Mahoney Returns to Hill But Yard Goats Fall 5-2 - Hartford Yard Goats
- Clutch 8th Inning Knocks Lead 5-2 Victory at Hartford - Altoona Curve
- Perozo Powers a Three-Run Homer, Suero Plays Walk-Off Hero for Second Straight Night - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
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