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Paulson grounds Flying Squirrels with Tom's help, 4-1

Akron starter Jake Paulson allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings pitched to help the RubberDucks defeat Richmond 4-1 on Saturday night. (David Monseur)
July 21, 2018

RubberDucks 4 Flying Squirrels 1WP: Jake Paulson (6-3) LP: Conner Menez (3-3) Save: Henry Martinez (11)SummaryAkron's Ka'ai Tom cracked a go-ahead, two-run double, and Jake Paulson allowed just one run over seven innings, as the RubberDucks defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 4-1, Saturday night at Canal Park.

RubberDucks 4 Flying Squirrels 1
WP: Jake Paulson (6-3) LP: Conner Menez (3-3) Save: Henry Martinez (11)
Summary
Akron's Ka'ai Tom cracked a go-ahead, two-run double, and Jake Paulson allowed just one run over seven innings, as the RubberDucks defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 4-1, Saturday night at Canal Park.

Turning Point
The RubberDucks (59-40) trailed 1-0 going into seventh, but rallied against Richmond pitchers Conner Menez and Garrett Williams. Connor Marabell and Sam Haggerty walked with one out against Menez (3-3). Williams was summoned from the bullpen to face Tom, but Tom foiled the strategy by banging a two-run double to center field, giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead. Logan Ice followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1.
Mound Presence
Paulson (6-3) was masterful in his seven innings of work. He allowed only two hits and a single run. He allowed a double to C.J. Hinojosa and a sacrifice fly by Dylan Davis in the fourth when the Squirrels (46-51) took a 1-0 lead. Paulson fanned six and walked one and lowered his ERA to 2.79. Lefty Rob Kaminsky tossed a scoreless eighth, and Henry Martinez worked the ninth for his 11th save.
Duck Tales
Tom, who stroked a walk-off homer on Friday night, now has 42 RBI. Ice has four RBI in the series. Andrew Calica was 2-4. Haggerty drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth to force in an insurance run and make it 4-1.
Notebook
The RubberDucks have won four games in a row, including all three against Richmond this series…The Ducks are now a season-high 19 games over the .500-mark…2nd-place Altoona was rained out in Reading, so the Ducks lead in the EL West stands at six games…Time of game: 2:37 … Attendance: 7,699 (sellout).
On the Pond
The RubberDucks and Flying Squirrels will conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.