EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks beat Curve

Published on July 24, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron's Joe Sever homered and drove in two runs, and closer Jeff Johnson saved his 16th game of the season, as the RubberDucks slipped by the Altoona Curve, 5-4, Friday night at Canal Park.

Turning Point

The RubberDucks (51-49) scored four times in the second inning against Curve left-hander Zack Dodson (4-8). Ryan Rohlinger slapped a perfectly-executed hit-and-run single to right to drive in Bryson Myles for the first run of the game. With Jordan Smith at third, Sever lifted a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-0. Alex Lavisky followed with an RBI double, and Todd Hankins capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 4-0.

Mound Presence

Ryan Merritt started for Akron and worked 6 2/3 innings for his eighth win of the season and second in his last two starts. Merritt (8-7) scattered eight hits and three runs. He walked none and fanned four. He left with a 4-3 lead and a man on third with two outs in the seventh, but righthander Zach Nuding came on to get Max Moroff on a fly ball to end the inning. Closer Jeff Johnson struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save. He is a perfect 16-for-16 in save chance.

Duck Tales

Sever blasted a lead-off home run in the bottom of the seventh, his second of the season. Bradley Zimmer and Myles each had a stolen base during Akron's four-run, second-inning rally. Yandy Diaz was 1-4, and is hitting .312 for the season. Indians outfielder Nick Swisher started and DH and went 0-4 in his second rehab appearance with Akron. He is expected to play again Sunday.

Notes

Friday's crowd of 8,301 was the largest in RubberDucks history, and the seventh official sellout of the 2015 season...The RubberDucks snapped a four-game losing streak...Bowie defeated Harrisburg, 5-1, Friday so the Ducks remain four games out of first place...Friday's game was the 100th of the season...Akron's team ERA is 3.09, which ranks second in the EL...Time of game: 2:26...Attendance: 8,301.

Up Next

The RubberDucks and Curve (54-46) will play the third game of the series on Saturday night at 7:05. RHP Adam Plutko will start for Akron, and RHP Jason Creasy will counter for the Curve. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronrubberducks.com.

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Eastern League Stories from July 24, 2015


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