Oscar Gonzalez Hits 6th Homer, Ducks Win 5th Straight, 8-7

May 25, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release

RubberDucks right fielder Oscar González slugged his team-leading sixth home run of the season and fourth in six games against Binghamton to help Akron build an 8-2 lead, and they held on for an 8-7 series-opening win at Rumbletown Stadium in Binghamton Tuesday night.

Turning Point

The RubberDucks jumped to a first-inning lead for the third straight game. Binghamton right-hander Tony Dibrell walked shortstop Tyler Freeman, and second baseman Andruw Monasterio hit an RBI double to the right-field wall. Three batters later, González hit a two-out, two-run home run to left field for a 3-0 lead.

Mound Presence

Right-hander Thomas Ponticelli took the mound with a 3-0 lead in his first Double-A start. He allowed a first-inning leadoff double to left fielder Carlos Cortes, who scored after consecutive groundouts. Ponticelli then worked around two baserunners each in the second and third innings. He struck out the side in the second inning, and induced an inning-ending double play in the third. Left-hander Skylar Árias got the last two outs of the fourth inning but yielded a run in the fifth. Right-hander Aaron Pinto pitched three hitless innings, before right-hander Alec Wisely made his Double-A debut in the ninth. He yielded a two-run double by Cortes and three-run homer by center fielder Jake Mangum, before Mikolajchak entered to strike out first baseman Jeremy Vasquez to end the game.

Duck Tales

With a 3-2 lead entering the sixth inning, the RubberDucks widened the lead. Right-hander Ryley Gilliam walked the first two batters, and after designated hitter Josh Rolette's sacrifice, he hit Freeman and second baseman Andruw Monasterio, bringing in a run. Center fielder Alex Call hit an RBI single off right-hander Daniel Goggin, and first baseman Trenton Brooks added a two-run single for a 7-2 lead.

Notebook

Every RubberDuck reached base on a hit or walk...Akron moved to 6-0 against Binghamton...Mikolajchak has pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings to begin the season...Time of game: 3:36 (longest of the season)...Attendance: 1,169.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their seven-game, six-day series in Binghamton with a doubleheader at 5:35 p.m. EDT Wednesday. Akron RHP Alex Royalty (1-0, 3.00) is scheduled to start Game 1 against Rumble Ponies RHP Luc Rennie (0-0, 4.66). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.

Eastern League Stories from May 25, 2021

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