EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Brady Makes RubberDucks a Playoff Bunch

Published on August 28, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron's Sean Brady allowed just one run over six innings, and Nellie Rodriguez homered and doubled, as the RubberDucks clinched a 2018 Eastern League playoff berth with a 7-3 victory over the Bowie Baysox Tuesday night at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.

Turning Point

The RubberDucks (75-59) broke open a two-run game in the fifth inning when Rodriguez smacked a two-run double off Bruce Zimmerman (1-2) to extend the Akron lead to 5-1. Andrew Calica was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Tyler Krieger singled to put two men aboard for Rodriguez. His two-run double down the left-field line knocked Zimmerman from the game.

Mound Presence

Brady (7-7) made his 26thstart of the year count, as he hurled six impressive innings and allowed just one run. He scattered four hits and struck out six. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam with a double-play in the second. Jordan Milbrath (0.2 IP), Rob Kaminsky (1.1 IP) and David Speer (1.0 IP) all provided relief help for the Ducks. Kaminsky recorded a crucial strikeout of Ryan Mountcastle to end the seventh with the bases loaded.

Duck Tales

Rodriguez ripped a solo homer to left off Matt Grimes in the seventh to make it 6-1. It was Rodriguez's fourth of the year and gave him three RBI on the night. Ka'ai Tom followed later in the inning with an RBI single to give the Ducks a comfortable, 7-1 lead. Tom also added an RBI on a fielder's choice in the fourth when the Ducks scored twice to grab a 3-1 lead. Sam Haggerty chipped in a clutch, two-out RBI double in the fourth. Catcher Li-Jen Chu socked a solo homer in the second inning to get the Ducks on the board. Chu finished a triple short of the cycle, going 3-4.

Notebook

The win clinched a spot for the Ducks in the upcoming EL playoffs...It is the 17thplayoff appearance in the 30-year history of the Akron franchise...The Ducks will play Altoona in a first-round series beginning Wednesday, September 5th, although the opening site is still to be determined...Akron and Altoona are now tied for the EL West lead with six games to play...Akron improved to 13-6 against the Baysox (64-68) ...Time of game: 2:55... Attendance: 4,379.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks and Baysox will continue the four-game series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.

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Eastern League Stories from August 28, 2018


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