EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Curve Walk Off with 4-3 win on Garcia's HR

Published on April 8, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


(Altoona, PA) April 8, 2014 - Altoona right fielder Willy Garcia committed a crucial error in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's game against the Akron RubberDucks, mishandling a base hit that allowed the go-ahead run to score. He more than made up for it, however, two innings later with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Curve a 4-3 win in the opener of a two-game series at People's Natural Gas Field.

Garcia, ranked among Pittsburgh's top position-player prospects, had been 0-3 in the game, and was 0-11 this season, until he yanked a pitch from Akron's Tyler Sturdevant (0-1) over the left-center field wall for the walk-off victory. The decisive hit came after Sturdevant struck out Altoona's Justin Howard to start the bottom of the ninth.

The RubberDucks (2-3) snapped a 2-2 tie in the seventh when lead-off hitter Jordan Smith drew a walk off righthander Tyler Sample (1-0). Tony Wolters then drilled a pitch into right field, near the line. Garcia bobbled the pick-up, and Smith raced around from first base to score the go-ahead tally for Akron.

The lead was short-lived as Mel Rojas junior clubbed a long homer to center in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 3-3, and set the stage for Garcia's heroics in the ninth.

Altoona (2-2) used the longball exclusively, scoring all four runs via solo homers. Stetson Allie and Jarek Cunningham hit the others, both connecting off Akron starter Kyle Davies.

After Allie's homer in the first made it 1-0, the RubberDucks scored twice in the third inning to take the lead. Bryson Myles and Francisco Lindor had RBI singles, and the RubberDucks stole five bases in the inning. Myles and Tyler Holt swiped two apiece, and Smith had one.

Davies was solid in his Indians organization debut. The 30-year-old free agent acquisition worked six innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out three. The two solo shots were the only runs he allowed. He left with a 2-2 tie after six and didn't figure in the decision. Davies threw 78 pitches, 51 of which were strikes.

Wolters had two hits and has now hit in all four games he has played. He's hitting .467 so far. Lindor was 1-4, and now has four RBI.

The RubberDucks (2-3) will wrap-up the series at Altoona and the road trip on Wednesday evening at 6:30. RHP Gabriel Arias (NR) will make his first start for Akron. The Curve will go for the two-game sweep by giving the ball to LHP Zack Dodson.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2014 season the 18th since moving to Canal Park and its first since becoming the RubberDucks. The home opener at Canal Park is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th at 6:35 p.m. against the Bowie Baysox.

For more information and merchandise featuring the Akron RubberDucks, go to www.AkronRubberDucks.com or call 330-253-5151. The Akron RubberDucks are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks and Twitter at @AkronRubberDuck.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from April 8, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central