Ducks' Bats Rally Past Squirrels, 11-7
September 10, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The Akron RubberDucks rallied from a 5-2 deficit to score nine straight runs, while the bullpen combined for 6 1/3 innings in an 11-7 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the third game of a six-game series at The Diamond Thursday night. Akron has the best record in the Double-A Northeast by 3.5 games, and its magic number to clinch a playoff berth is six.
Turning Point
After Richmond's five-run bottom of the third inning took Akron left-hander Adam Scott out of the game and put Akron behind 5-2, the RubberDucks started a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning against right-hander Matt Frisbee. First baseman Ike Freeman doubled and scored on designated hitter Marcos González's double. Left fielder Clark Scolamiero walked, and catcher Eric Rodríguez drilled a three-run home run to center field - his first since Aug. 22, 2019, his first hit since June 25, and his first Double-A hit - for a 6-5 Akron lead. Third baseman Victor Nova singled and scored on a double by shortstop Brayan Rocchio to make it 7-5. Akron held the lead the rest of the game.
Mound Presence
Scott began with two scoreless innings and had a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning, when he allowed a leadoff walk and four straight two-out hits, giving Richmond a 4-2 lead. He allowed five earned runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Right-hander Aaron Pinto pitched two scoreless innings, with two hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Right-hander Manuel Alvarez worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing his first runs in nine appearances on a two-run homer by center fielder Jacob Heyward. Right-hander Nick Mikolajchak finished with two scoreless innings.
Duck Tales
Second baseman José Fermín led off the second inning with his fourth home run, and González hit an RBI double to make it 2-0. Akron added insurance runs on right fielder Will Brennan's sixth-inning two-run single and Nova's seventh-inning two-run single. Eight RubberDucks combined for 15 hits, eight scored runs, and all reached base on a hit or walk.
Notebook
The RubberDucks lead Somerset (65-44) by 3.5 games and Bowie by four games for the league's best record...Akron has clinched the season series over Richmond, leading 7-2 with three games remaining...Freeman (seven) and Brennan (six) extended their hitting streaks...Game Time: 3:46 (longest nine-inning game of the season)...Attendance: 4,463.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Richmond at 6:35 p.m. EDT Friday. Akron left-hander Konnor Pilkington (3-0, 1.17 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Aaron Blair (0-2, 3.96 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.
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