Lester's Big Night Powers SeaWolves to Third Straight Win
May 14, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
The SeaWolves won their third straight contest on Friday night, knocking off the Akron RubberDucks 6-4 at UPMC Park. The game seesawed all night, featuring five lead changes before Erie came away with the victory.
Jacob Robson got an early start for Erie with a solo home run to left field in the first inning, his second homer of the season. Erie has plated a run in the first inning in each of their last three games. Akron starter Alex Royalty shut down the Erie offense for the next two innings, but ran into trouble from Josh Lester in the fourth inning.
After Drew Ward drew a two-out walk, Lester served a ball far past the right field netting to give Erie the 3-2 lead. Lester had three hits, a season high, to go with three RBIs.
With the game tied in the sixth inning, the wheels came off of the Akron defense. Erie got two batters on base to start the frame before Akron committed errors on consecutive plays to allow three runs to score.
Ricardo Pinto started the game for Erie and pitched five innings. He allowed one run to score in the second inning on a pair of single and a ground out. Richie Palacios doubled the Akron score in the third inning with a solo home run for his first of the season. Pinto allowed a third run in the fifth inning after a leadoff double and a pair of ground balls to second base.
Out of the bullpen, Angel De Jesus spun two scoreless innings, but had to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. With only one out, De Jesus (1-0) struck out Palacios and Bo Naylor to strand the Akron runners. Henry Martinez picked up the save for Erie. The right-hander struck out the side in the eighth inning, and had four punchouts overall. Akron threatened in the ninth inning when Tyler Freeman doubled in a run, but Martinez stranded the runner at second.
Erie now has a chance to win the six-game series against their regional rival on Saturday. The first 1,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a free SeaWolves Howl Towel courtesy of UPMC, with first pitch coming at 4:05 p.m.
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