RubberDucks Win in 12
May 1, 2016 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Akron's Jordan Smith delivered a two-out, game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning Sunday, lifting the RubberDucks to a thrilling, 3-2 win over the Altoona Curve at Canal Park.
Turning Point
Smith blooped the first pitch he saw from Altoona reliever Frank Duncan (2-1) into shallow right-center field, just out of the reach of right fielder Harold Ramirez. It was Smith's first hit of the day after going 0-4 with a walk and three strikeouts. The hit drove in Bradley Zimmer with the winning run. Zimmer had bounced to first baseman Edwin Espinal with one out, but reached base when Duncan dropped the throw while covering first on the play. Zimmer then stole second prior to Smith's game winner. It was his eighth steal of the year.
Winging It
Ben Heller picked up his first Double-A win with a sensational relief effort. He entered the game in the top of the 11th with two outs and a man on first for Altoona. Heller (1-0) struck out Eric Wood to end the 11th, and then retired the side in order in the 12th. All told, Heller threw 10 pitches, all of them strikes, and fanned three of the four batters he faced. Right-hander Robbie Aviles tossed two scoreless innings before Heller took over. Akron starter Rob Kaminsky enjoyed his best outing of the season, going 6.2 innings and allowing just one run, but settled for a no-decision.
Duck Tales
Zimmer socked a two-run homer off Curve starter Tyler Eppler in the third inning to give the Ducks a 2-0 lead. It was Zimmer's third of the season, all of which have come against the Curve. Todd Hankins had a pair of hits and two steals, and extended his hitting streak to six straight games. Joe Sever had a pair of hits for Akron, finishing the day 2-5.
Notebook
The RubberDucks (15-8) swept the three-game series from the Curve (9-14), and have now won six straight games at Canal Park...The Curve pulled to within 2-1 in the sixth on an RBI double by Espinal against Kaminsky, and tied it in the eighth on a solo homer by Erich Weiss off Antonio Romero...It was the second extra-inning game of the season for the RubberDucks, both of which have resulted in walk-off wins...Clint Frazier was hitless in five at-bats, snapping his eight-game hitting streak...Time of game: 3:27...Attendance: 6,082.
On Deck
The RubberDucks will continue the homestand on Monday evening at 6:35 when they host the Trenton Thunder in the first game of a four-game series. RHP Adam Plutko is the announced starter for Akron, and RHP Ronald Herrera is expected to get the ball for the Thunder. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.
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