Sept. 5: Dion fans 8, but Squirrels top Ducks, 4-2

September 5, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | **[Box Score**](https://www.milb.com/gameday/723962/final/box)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (33-25, 66-61) 4, Akron RubberDucks (27-31, 62-65) 2

WP: Ryan Murphy (2-8) LP: Will Dion (2-4) Save: none

Summary

Akron RubberDucks left-hander Will Dion began with four hitless innings and matched a season high with eight strikeouts, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels began with eight shutout innings in a 4-2 win in the opener of a six-game series at The Diamond Tuesday night.

Will's out here dealing

7⃣ Ks through 4⃣ innings @WDion22

END 4 | Akron 0 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/i7kS7lFkWA

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 5, 2023

Turning Point

Akron left-hander Will Dion held Richmond hitless until the fifth inning, when third baseman Sean Roby tapped an infield single to Dion between the pitcher’s mound and third base, and right fielder Victor Bericoto hit a one-out RBI double to right-center field, breaking the scoreless deadlock.

Mound Presence

Dion retired the first nine Richmond hitters and had seven strikeouts without allowing a hit through four innings. He finished five innings, allowing only two hits, no walks and an earned run, while striking out eight batters for a second consecutive start. Right-hander Jack Leftwich began the sixth inning and allowed a two-out solo home run to designated hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo. In the seventh, Roby hit a leadoff single, and first baseman Brady Whalen hit a two-run home run to right field for a 4-0 Richmond lead. Leftwich worked three innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

Duck Tales

The RubberDucks were held to three hits and a walk in the first five innings by right-hander Ryan Murphy. Right-handers Hunter Dula (two innings) and Evan Gates (one inning) each pitched scoreless relief. In the ninth, designated hitter Bryce Ball led off with a single against right-hander Tyler Myrick, extending Ball’s six-game hitting streak. Second baseman Aaron Bracho walked, and after a fielder’s choice, a wild pitch scored the first run. A sharp ground ball by catcher Micael Ramírez to second baseman Jimmy Glowenke brought in a second run before a game-ending double play.

Notebook

Akron dropped six games behind Richmond in the Southwest Division second-half race with 11 games remaining…Richmond now leads the season series, 7-6…Game Time: 2:13…Attendance: 4,296.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday at The Diamond. Right-hander Ross Carver (1-4, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Carson Seymour (4-3, 4.07 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.