RubberDucks Nearly No-Hit Reading
April 22, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The Akron RubberDucks came within two outs of a combined no-hitter Wednesday night, but settled for a one-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils at First Energy Stadium.
Turning Point
Akron first baseman Jake Lowery led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run to right field to break a scoreless tie. Lowery's homer came off Reading reliever Ethan Stewart (0-1). Justin Toole followed with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Yonathan Mendoza, and scored on a triple by Todd Hankins to make it 2-0.
Mound Presence
Lefthander Shawn Morimando (1-1) was brilliant in his third start of the season. He tossed six hitless innings, allowing the Fightin Phils just three walks. Morimando struck out six, including three straight in the second inning. He threw 84 pitches, 51 of which were strikes. Morimando handed the ball off to righty Josh Martin, who mowed down six straight hitters in the seventh and eighth innings. Martin walked Reading's Brian Pointer to lead off the ninth, but retired Tony Thomas on a fly ball for the first out. Reading then sent EL RBI-leader Brock Stassi up to pinch hit, and the left-handed hitter ripped a double into the right field corner to wreck the no-hit bid. With runners on second and third, Martin fanned Aaron Altherr for the second out. Manager David Wallace then called for righthander Jeff Johnson from the bullpen to face Reading's Cam Perkins. Johnson responded by inducing a line drive to Hankins in center field to end the game and notch his first save.
Duck Tales
Toole was 2-4, with a double...Hankins collected his second triple of the season...Mendoza made a diving stop behind second base in the third inning to take a hit away from reading's KC Serna...At the plate, Mendoza was 1-2, with a single to extend his hitting streak to five games (6-16, .375)...
Notes
The RubberDucks (6-7) won two out of three in the series and went 3-4 on the road trip...The last Akron no-hitter was July 15, 2012, when lefty Giovanni Soto hurled a nine-inning, no-hit game against Altoona at Canal Park...Reading starter Ben Lively also tossed six shutout innings... Reading's Roman Quinn collided with Lowery at first base in the third inning while trying to beat out an infield grounder. After being called for batter/runner interference by umpire John Bacon, Quinn slammed his helmet on the turf and was ejected from the game... Reading dropped to 7-5... Time of game: 2:23...Attendance: 2,022.
Up Next
The RubberDucks will welcome in the Bowie Baysox for the start of a four-game series on Thursday night at 6:35. RHP Mike Clevinger is scheduled to start for Akron, while the Baysox are expected to give the ball to RHP Branden Kline. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and at www.akronrubberducks.com.
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Eastern League Stories from April 22, 2015
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