EL Akron RubberDucks

Dion, Ducks Dominate in New Hampshire, 9-1

June 13, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron left-hander Will Dion struck out six batters in five innings, while RubberDucks third baseman Angel Martínez had three two-out RBIs, and catcher Bryan Lavastida hit a three-run home run in a 9-1 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the opener of a six-game series at Delta Dental Stadium Tuesday night.

Turning Point

In a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning, Akron left fielder Connor Kokx hit a leadoff single to center field against Fisher Cats right-hander Gabriel Ponce. A wild pitch put Kokx at second base, and a single by shortstop José Tena moved him to third base. Two batters later, Martínez hit a two-out, two-run single into center field for a 3-1 lead. Right-hander Adrian Hernandez entered and walked Lavastida and second baseman Juan Brito. Right fielder Johnathan Rodríguez grounded to shortstop Orelvis Martinez, whose errant throw to first base allowed another run to score for a 4-1 Akron lead.

Mound Presence

Dion worked around a single in the first inning. In the second inning, a walk, catcher's interference, infield single by center fielder Steward Berroa and a throwing error by Lavastida scored an unearned run for a 1-0 New Hampshire lead. After that, Dion retired 10 straight hitters, completing five innings, allowing two hits and one walk with no earned runs. Right-hander Mason Hickman pitched two scoreless innings with one hit, two walks and four strikeouts. Right-hander Trey Benton walked the bases loaded in the eighth inning but escaped by inducing a line-drive double play and groundout. Right-hander Davis Sharpe struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Duck Tales

The RubberDucks tied the game, 1-1, against right-hander Sem Robberse in the third inning. Designated hitter Aaron Bracho singled, Tena walked, and Martínez hit a two-out RBI single to left field. Akron blew the game open in the eigthh inning, when Hernandez hit Kokx with a pitch and walked Bracho, before Tena singled to load the bases. Center fielder Petey Halpin's sacrifice fly to left field scored two runs, and after Martínez walked, Lavastida drilled a three-run home run to left field for a five-run inning and 9-1 lead.

Notebook

With his 242nd win as Akron manager, Rouglas Odor now needs three more to pass Brad Komminsk (244) for most in club history, which will also give the club its 2,500th win in Northeast Ohio (1989-present)...Martínez has a team-high 34 RBIs...The RubberDucks have scored 46 runs (6.6 per game) on the road trip...Akron trails first-place Altoona (30-26) by 1.5 games in the Southwest Division. The first half ends Sunday, June 25...Game Time: 2:38...Attendance: 5,302.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in New Hampshire at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at Delta Dental Stadium. Right-hander Tommy Mace is scheduled to make his Akron debut against Fisher Cats right-hander Chad Dallas (2-0, 2.42 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.

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Eastern League Stories from June 13, 2023


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