EL Akron RubberDucks

Gabriel Rodríguez Homer Lifts Akron in 11-9 Thriller over Richmond

Published on May 19, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


After Akron rallied to tie the game four separate times, third baseman Gabriel Rodríguez launched a go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth inning to life the RubberDucks to an 11-9 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the fourth game of a six-game series at The Diamond Friday afternoon.

Turning Point

With Richmond leading, 8-7, entering the ninth inning, left-hander Juan Sanchez walked catcher Bryan Lavastida with one out. Left fielder Korey Holland singled to center field, chasing Sanchez. Against left-hander Raymond Burgos, a former Cleveland minor leaguer, center fielder Julian Escobedo grounded a game-tying RBI single to center field. The next pitch Rodríguez drilled to left field for his third home run of the season and Akron's first lead in the game, 11-8.

Mound Presence

Right-hander Hunter Stanley allowed Richmond to take the lead in the second inning with two runs on a walk and two hits, before allowing a two-run homer to left fielder Carter Aldrete in the third inning to make it 4-1. Aldrete also hit a go-ahead double in the fifth inning, chasing Stanley after 4 1/3 innings with five runs - four earned - on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Left-hander Randy Labaut worked two innings, walking one and striking out four, and was charged a run when right-hander Jordan Jones relieved him in the seventh and gave up a go-ahead, two-run home run to Riley Mahan. An unearned run scored against Jones in the eighth to give Richmond an 8-7 lead. Right-hander Cade Smith allowed Mahan's second home run in the ninth inning, but when right fielder Connor Kokx dove to catch the final out, Smith earned his Minor League Baseball-leading 11th save, converting his 19th straight save chance overall.

Duck Tales

The RubberDucks scored in the third inning against right-hander Carson Seymour on an RBI single by second baseman Angel Martínez. Akron tied it, 4-4, with a three-run fifth inning, capped by designated hitter José Tena's two-run single. In the sixth, first baseman Joe Naranjo hit an RBI double for a 5-5 tie. In the eighth, second baseman Aaron Bracho's two-run single tied the game, 7-7.

Notebook

Holland has begun his Double-A career with an eight-game hitting streak (12-for-28), tied for the club's longest of the season...The 11 runs were Akron's second-most this season...Akron has at least 10 hits in seven of the 10 games on its road trip and is hitting .287 with 5.90 runs per game...For the second time on the trip, all nine batters in the lineup had a hit...Akron tied Erie (playing Friday night) for first place in the Southwest Division...Game Time: 3:09...Attendance: 7,065.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at The Diamond. Akron left-hander Jaime Árias (0-1, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels left-hander Nick Zwack (1-1, 6.17 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.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

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



Eastern League Stories from May 19, 2023


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