by The Richmond Flying Squirrels drove across 17 runs in dismantling fashion against Akron on Tuesday at Canal Park. Coming in with a 43-41 overall record, the RubberDucks looked to secure their first win at home since the all-star break. Unfortunately for the squad, Richmond’s potent lineup decided the game within mere innings.
Following a scoreless first inning between both teams, Richmond proceeded to dump 7 runs on Akron’s starter Hunter Stanley. Flying Squirrels shortstop Shane Matheny kicked off the offensive explosion with a 400-foot bomb to center field, slamming the batter’s eye. Catcher Andy Thomas hit a single to right field the next at-bat. With Thomas on first, designated hitter Carter Aldrete slapped a grounder directly to RubberDucks shortstop Jose Tena. What was surely a routine double play became a fielding error as Tena tried to turn it just a tad too quickly. A few batters later, third baseman Jimmy Glowenke smashed a home run of his own, sailing over the left field wall.
Stanley walked two straight batters, then got the second out. With two runners on, second baseman Donovan Walton hit a rope over the right field wall. Walton had the honor of celebrating his first home run of the season, only taking him 14 at-bats to do so. Stanley had now given up three home runs in the second inning. Stanley’s outing did not improve during his third inning of work, allowing 2 walks and 2 hits. He was pulled in that inning, finishing his day with 2.1 innings pitched, giving up 6 hits, 11 runs, 7 earned runs, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts.
Before the RubberDucks knew what hit them, they were trailing 12-0 after the end of the third inning. Richmond ended the game with 17 runs scored, picking up all their runs between the second and fifth inning. Akron’s bats started to wake up in the bottom of the sixth. After a hit-by-pitch that plunked third baseman Angel Martinez and a walk by designated hitter Johnathan Rodriguez, second baseman Juan Brito blasted a missile that just scrapped over the right field wall. The ball almost collided with the foul pole, but inched its way over the wall. Akron scored two more runs in the seventh, but the damage was already done.
As much as Richmond’s bats were sizzling hot, the RubberDucks pitching staff put themselves in a deep hole at times. Stanley, along with four bullpen arms combined for 9 total base-on-balls, and 15 hits allowed. Richmond southpaw John Michael Bertrand pitched well in his first start at the Double-A level. He threw 5 complete innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Bertrand received the call following his utter dominance at San Francisco’s High-A affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds. Bertrand went 10-2 with a 2.90 ERA in 71.1 innings pitched while with Eugene.
However, the Akron pitchers did manage to fend off right fielder Wade Meckler and center fielder Vaun Brown, two of San Francisco’s top prospects in their organization. Meckler and Brown combined went 3-for-11 from the box. The number 2 ranked prospect for the Giants and the number 15 overall minor league prospect Marco Luciano had his off day today. Akron searches to have a major bounce-back for game two of this six-game set against Richmond. The first pitch is slated for 6:35 EDT at Canal Park on Wednesday.
