Lavastida Plays Hero, Williams Unhittable in Akron's 6-5 Extra Inning Win
April 20, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
On a Thursday night where Gavin Williams tossed five no-hit innings, Bryan Lavastida lined a walk-off double to lift the Akron RubberDucks past the Harrisburg Senators 6-5 in 10 innings at Canal Park.
Turning Point After Harrisburg tied the game with three runs in the eighth and took the lead with two in the tenth, the RubberDucks looked for a last chance rally in extras. Marcos Gonzalez opened the inning with a single to put runners on the corners. Petey Halpin followed with a single to center to put Akron within a run at 5-4. Two batters later, Lavastida lined a double down the right field line to bring home Halpin and Angel Martinez to give the RubberDucks the 6-5 victory.
Mound Presence Williams was untouchable for Akron in his third start of the season. The right-hander allowed one base runner on a third inning walk on his way to five hitless innings with eight strikeouts. Randy Labaut followed with two scoreless innings and two punchouts. Davis Sharpe allowed three runs over his two innings of work. Trey Benton allowed two runs (one earned) over his inning pitched.
Duck Tales Joe Naranjo got the offense going in the bottom of the first by bringing home Martinez on a sac-fly to make it 1-0 Akron. Halpin stretched the lead to 2-0 Ducks with a sac-fly of his own in the bottom of the second. Gabriel Rodriguez singled home Julian Escobedo in the bottom of the fifth to make it 3-0 RubberDucks.
Notebook Williams' eight strikeouts brings his season total to 20, which ties Tanner Bibee for most in the Guardians Organization...Gonzalez picked up two hits in his 2023 debut...Rodriguez's fifth inning RBI was his first of the year...Game Time: 3:15...Attendance: 2,427.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks will continue the series with the Harrisburg Senators on Friday, April 21 at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. Akron right-hander Ross Carver (0-0, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to face Harrisburg right-hander Ronald Herrera (0-1, 3.24 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for all RubberDucks home games, are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.
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