McKenzie Strong But Big Fifth Guides Altoona Past Akron 7-5
September 13, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Triston McKenzie strikes out four over three innings, but the Altoona Curve scored six in the fifth and hold off a late Akron charge to down the RubberDucks 7-5 on Wednesday night at Canal Park.
Turning Point
After Akron tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, Altoona answered back with a six spot in the fifth. Andres Alvarez opened the scoring with a solo home run. A two-run double with the bases loaded by Tsung-Che Cheng made it 4-1 Curve. A two-run single by Jase Bowen and RBI single by Mike Jarvis capped the big inning and put Altoona on top 7-1.
Mound Presence
McKenzie was rolling early in his rehab start. The right-hander easily retired the first six he faced with three of them coming on strikeouts. Altoona opened the third with a walk in a single, but McKenzie handled the sac bunt before getting a groundout and strikeout to close out his night. In total, he went three innings allowing one run on one hit while striking out four. Erik Sabrowski worked around a leadoff walk to toss a scoreless fourth. Doug Nikhazy worked two-thirds of an inning allowing six runs. Bradley Hanner struck out three over 2.1 scoreless innings. Jordan Jones tossed two scoreless with a punchout.
Duck Tales
Akron's bats picked up McKenzie in the bottom of the fourth as Bryce Ball singled up the middle to score Chase DeLauter and tie the game 1-1. After Altoona's big fifth, the RubberDucks started to charge back in the seventh. Joe Naranjo opened the frame with a single before Connor Kokx was hit by a pitch and Petey Halpin worked a walk to load the bases. Juan Brito lined a single into right field to score Naranjo and Kokx to cut the Altoona lead down to 7-3. The RubberDucks added on some more in the eighth as Naranjo singled home Milan Tolentino with two outs to make it 7-4. Naranjo came around to score after an error on Micael Ramirez's infield single to bring Akron within two at 7-5 Curve.
Notebook
McKenzie tossed 44 pitches (29 strikes) and topped out at 93 mph...DeLauter extended his hitting streak between Lake County and Akron to seven games...Game Time: 2:47...Attendance: 2,468.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks will continue their series at Canal Park against the Altoona Curve on Thursday, September 14 at 6:35 p.m. Akron right-hander Hunter Stanley (3-11, 5.18 ERA) against Curve lefty Nick Dombkowski (5-5, 3.56 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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