Naranjo's Homer and Burns Perfect Relief Leads Akron to 4-3 Win Over Bowie
August 31, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Joe Naranjo launched a seventh inning go-ahead solo home run in the Akron RubberDucks 4-3 win over the Bowie Baysox on Thursday night at Canal Park. Josh Naylor picked up a single and Michael Kelly struck out two in their rehab appearances.
Turning Point
Akron broke the 3-3 deadlock in the bottom of the seventh. Naranjo, who entered the game for defense in the top of the seventh, made his only at-bat of the night count as he launched a solo homer into the Cutwater Tiki Terrace to make it 4-3 RubberDucks.
Mound Presence
Ross Carver got the start for Akron and looked good early striking out two of the first three to face him. After Bowie struck for a solo home run followed by a single in the second, the right-hander settled back in to retire six in a row. In total, Carver tossed four innings allowing three runs while striking out five. Trey Benton entered the game in the fifth with two on and no out, and got a flyout and double play to escape the jam without damage. Guardians right-hander Kelly worked a perfect sixth with two strikeouts. Jordan Jones fired a scoreless seventh. Tanner Burns worked two perfect innings to earn his first career save.
Duck Tales
Akron answered Bowie's early run with three runs in the third. Michael Berglund came across to score on a double play ball to tie the game 1-1. After Angel Martinez walked, Juan Brito lined a single down the line in right to score Connor Kokx and make it 2-1 Akron. Aaron Bracho followed with a RBI single to score Maritnez give the RubberDucks the 3-1 lead.
Notebook
Kelly topped out at 96 mph and threw 22 pitches (16 strikes) in his first rehab appearance...Naylor is now 2-for-5 with two singles and a RBI in two rehab games...Game Time: 2:21...Attendance: 3,868.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks will continue their series at Canal Park against the Bowie Baysox on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 7:05 p.m. Akron left-hander Doug Nikhazy (4-7, 4.16 ERA) will take the mound against Bowie righty Trace Bright (0-0, 0.00 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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