Ducks Beat Bowie, 8-5, Stand One Win from Title
Published on September 23, 2021 under Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The RubberDucks scored six runs in the first three innings, while right-hander Xzavion Curry earned his first Double-A win, and Akron beat the Bowie Baysox, 8-5, to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Double-A Northeast Championship Series at Prince George's Stadium Wednesday night. The RubberDucks can clinch their first league title since 2016 as soon as Friday's 6:05 p.m. Game 3 at Canal Park in Akron, with all remaining games at home if necessary.
Turning Point
In the first inning against Baysox right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, left fielder Will Brennan hit a leadoff double to left-center field, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on shortstop Brayan Rocchio's sacrifice fly. Second baseman José Fermín walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on right fielder George Valera's RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
Mound Presence
In his second Double-A start, Curry only allowed two hits, including a second-inning solo homer by Bowie shortstop Gunnar Henderson. He walked two batters and struck out eight in five innings. Left-hander Ben Krauth pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Left-hander Jake Miednik struck out two batters in the seventh before allowing a walk and RBI double. Right-hander Nic Enright got the final out of the seventh, struck out the side in the eighth, and started the ninth. After an error, two hits and two runs, right-hander Aaron Pinto entered to record the final two outs to earn the save.
Duck Tales
Akron added four runs against Rodriguez in the third inning. Rocchio hit a one-out single, stole second base, and scored on Fermín's infield RBI single. Designated hitter Bryan Lavastida hit an RBI double to right-center field, right fielder George Valera hit an RBI single and later scored on an error following third baseman José Tena's double to make it 6-1. Lavastida added a seventh-inning RBI double, and Fermín hit a ninth-inning sacrifice fly.
Notebook
Including the regular season, Akron is 10-4 against Bowie, including 6-2 at Prince George's Stadium and 4-0 in games started by Rodriguez, who is ranked as baseball's top pitching prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America. He is 0-2 against Akron and 9-0 against all other opponents in 2021...Rocchio has a 14-game hitting streak and has reached base in 23 straight games...Fermín has a team-high five hits in the series...Time: 3:21 (0:59 rain delay)...Attendance: 1,153.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks and Baysox play Game 3 at Canal Park at 6:35 p.m. EDT Friday. Akron left-hander Konnor Pilkington (3-2, 2.33 ERA) is scheduled to face Bowie left-hander Drew Rom (3-1, 3.83 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on Fox Sports 1350 The Gambler, the iHeartRadio app, NEOSportsRadio.com and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.
Eastern League Stories from September 23, 2021
- RubberDucks Encourage Fans to Arrive Early Friday Amid Akron Marathon Events - Akron RubberDucks
- Bowie's Late Rally Falls Short in Game Two - Chesapeake Baysox
- Ducks Beat Bowie, 8-5, Stand One Win from Title - Akron RubberDucks
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