McCray hits early grand slam but Squirrels lose to 'Ducks

AKRON, Ohio – Grant McCray opened an early lead with a grand slam but the Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Akron RubberDucks, 9-4, on Saturday night at Canal Park.

🚨 GRANT SALAMI 🚨

McCray's fourth homer drives home four in Akron! pic.twitter.com/S8SuDg5sMC

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 4, 2024

The Flying Squirrels (12-14) lost for the fifth time in the last six games, including four-of-five so far in this week’s series against the RubberDucks (17-9).

McCray gave the Flying Squirrels a 4-1 lead in the top of the second with the grand slam against Jaime Arias (Win, 1-1), the fourth of his professional career and his second homer in the last two games.

In the fourth, the RubberDucks scored three runs to tie the game. Milan Tolentino hit an RBI triple and later scored on a single by Micael Ramirez. Petey Halpin tied the game with a two-out RBI single against Richmond reliever Jose Cruz (Loss, 1-1).

Akron plated three more runs in the fifth to take a 7-4 lead. Tolentino hit a go-ahead single and Ramirez brought in two runs with a single. In the eighth, the RubberDucks padded the lead to 9-4 with RBI singles by Joe Naranjo and Dayan Frias.

Kody Huff gave the RubberDucks a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a sacrifice fly.

The Flying Squirrels and RubberDucks conclude the series on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Ryan Murphy (1-2, 2.86) will start on the mound for Richmond. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Following the two-week road trip, the Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond May 14-19 to face the Reading Fightin Phils. Tickets are on sale online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-3866 (FUNN) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.