EL Akron RubberDucks

Ducks Erase Deficit, But Squirrels Prevail, 6-5

Published on September 8, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


The Akron RubberDucks erased a 5-0 deficit after a nearly two-hour rain delay in the fifth inning, but Richmond Flying Squirrels first baseman Logan Wyatt hit the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning for a 6-5 win in the third game of a six-game series at The Diamond Thursday night.

Turning Point

In a 5-5 tie, right-hander Bradley Hanner hit pinch hitter Ismael Munguia with a pitch to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Right fielder Victor Bericoto's groundout moved Munguia to second base, and Wyatt singled to right field, scoring Munguia for a 6-5 Richmond lead.

Mound Presence

Akron left-hander Doug Nikhazy allowed a first-inning RBI double by Richmond third baseman Carter Aldrete and a second-inning, two-run home run to catcher Brandon Martorano. After a pair of solo homers by shortstop Will Wilson and Aldrete in the third inning, it was 5-0. Nikhazy completed four innings, allowing four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts before the delay. Right-hander Jordan Jones worked around consecutive walks to start the fifth inning, getting a strikeout and inning-ending double play. He worked 2 1/3 hitless innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Hanner got the final two outs of the seventh inning and went 1 2/3 innings with the lone run and hit and two strikeouts.

Duck Tales

Akron trailed, 5-0, entering the fifth inning, but first baseman Bryce Ball and shortstop Milan Tolentino hit consecutive singles off left-hander Nick Zwack. After a nearly two-hour rain delay, catcher Joe Donovan hit right-hander Spencer Bivens' first pitch for an RBI double to left-center field - his first Double-A RBI. Third baseman Gabriel Rodríguez hit an infield single to load the bases, and right fielder Connor Kokx drew a walk to score a run. With one out, second baseman Juan Brito lined a two-run single to left field, and after Kokx stole third base, left fielder Korey Holland hit the game-tying sacrifice fly. Designated hitter Aaron Bracho then singled, but Bivens then retired 10 straight batters to finish four innings. Akron put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position but did not score off right-hander Ben Madison in the ninth.

Notebook

Rodríguez extended a six-game hitting streak...Akron dropped eight games behind Richmond in the Southwest Division second-half race with nine games remaining. Richmond is two games ahead of Bowie (33-27) for the second-half playoff spot...Richmond leads the season series, 9-6...Game Time: 2:37 (1:57 delay)...Attendance: 7,906.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 6:05 p.m. Friday at The Diamond. Right-hander Hunter Stanley (3-10, 4.89 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels left-hander John Michael Bertrand (1-3, 4.68 ERA). The game broadcast is on FOX Sports 1350 The Gambler, the FOX Sports 1350 The Gambler 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 September 8, 2023


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