EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Roberts, Toole Push RubberDucks over Altoona

Published on June 17, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron right-hander Will Roberts earned a milestone victory, and Justin Toole stroked a timely, three-run double as the RubberDucks cruised past the Altoona Curve, 9-3, at Canal Park Wednesday for the team's seventh straight win.

Turning Point

The RubberDucks (33-30) scored four times in the second inning against Altoona lefty Zack Dodson (3-3). Toole came to bat with two outs and the bases loaded and the RubberDucks trailing, 1-0. After working the count full, and fouling off three straight pitches, Toole finally straightened out the ninth pitch he saw from Dodson. His line drive to center landed just out of the reach of center fielder Mel Rojas Jr., and skittered to the warning track, scoring all three runs for a 3-1, lead. Todd Hankins followed with a double to drive in Toole and make it 4-1.

Mound Presence

Roberts (6-2) won for the fourth consecutive start, and sixth time overall. It was also the 25th career Akron victory for Roberts, moving him into a tie with former star hurler Matt Packer for the franchise record. Roberts has made 63 career appearances in an Akron uniform, dating to his AA debut in 2013. He is now 25-23. On Wednesday, in typical Roberts fashion, he went six innings, scattered seven hits and allowed just three runs. He walked only one and fanned four. Five of Roberts' six wins have come at Canal Park. Closer Jeff Johnson recorded the final four outs of the game to earned his ninth save.

Duck Tales

Toole was 2-4, and now has 17 RBI on the season. He also made a sensational, diving stop at third base to rob Rojas of a hit leading off the sixth inning when Akron was leading 6-3. Hankins was 2-4, and extended his hitting streak to seven games (13-30, .433). After pounding out 18 singles in Tuesday's 5-4 win in 14 innings, the RubberDucks had six extra-base hits on Wednesday, including triples by Anthony Gallas and Yandy Diaz. Catcher Jeremy Lucas laced an RBI double in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to six games (11-26, .423).

Notes

The RubberDucks have 32 hits in the series...The seven-game winning streak is the longest of the season for the RubberDucks, who now trail the Curve (37-26) by only four games in the EL West... Dodson suffered the loss for the Curve...He was touched up for six runs in six innings...Prior to Wednesday, Dodson had thrown 19 scoreless innings against Akron, going 2-0, in three previous starts...Time of game: 2:48... Attendance: 3,689.

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Eastern League Stories from June 17, 2015


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