Plesac Lights Out but Outdueled by Jannis
April 30, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Akron RubberDucks right-hander Zach Plesac (1-1) struck out a season-high nine batters in 6 2/3 innings, but Binghamton Rumble Ponies right-handed knuckleballer Mickey Jannis (1-0) pitched the first seven innings of a combined 1-0 shutout of the Akron RubberDucks in the second game of a three-game series at NYSEG Stadium Tuesday night.
Turning Point
The only run of the game came in the second inning. Rumble Ponies third baseman Will Toffey hit a leadoff single to left field, and left fielder Dario Pizzano hit a one-out single to right field. Center fielder Braxton Lee grounded an RBI single into left field to give the Rumble Ponies the lead.
Mound Presence
Plesac extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 2/3 innings with a scoreless first inning. After a three-hit, run-scoring second inning, he faced one batter over the minimum for the rest of his start, leaving with two outs in the seventh inning. He finished the night with a 0.86 ERA, leading the Eastern League. Left-hander David Speer allowed four hits in 1 1/3 innings, but he got help from a relay by left fielder Mitch Longo to shortstop Alexis Pantoja to catcher Logan Ice to tag out a runner at home plate, and a ground-ball double play. Jannis, in his season debut, faced the minimum in six of his seven innings. Right-handers Ryder Ryan, a former Indians minor leaguer, and Matt Blackham each pitched one inning.
Duck Tales
Akron had its best chance to score in the fifth inning. First baseman Wilson Garcia hit a leadoff single to left-center field, and third baseman Jorma Rodriguez reached on a two-out error by Binghamton second baseman Sam Haggerty. Jannis walked second baseman Drew Stankiewicz to load the bases before striking out Ice to end the threat. Center fielder Ka'ai Tom had the other two Akron hits.
Notebook
Akron was shut out for the third time this season and the first since the opening series of the season...The RubberDucks finish April 12-13 and in third place in the Western Division first-half standings, nine games behind first-place Harrisburg (21-4)...Wednesday will be the first true rubber match for the RubberDucks this season. They won the last two games of a series shortened to three games by a rainout in Altoona April 11-14...Time of game: 2:02 (Akron's shortest nine-inning game this season)...Attendance: 1,756.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks conclude their series in Binghamton on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. EDT. LHP Tanner Tully (2-1, 2.74) is scheduled to start for Akron against RHP Mike Gibbons (2-2, 2.45) for the Rumble Ponies. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.
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