RubberDucks' Comeback Falls Just Short to Erie in Series Finale, 7-6
May 16, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The finale of the first six-game series between the RubberDucks and the SeaWolves did not disappoint offensively, with both teams posting a four-run inning each. In the end the Erie SeaWolves were able to manufacture the two winning runs with timely two-hitting in the fifth, defeating the RubberDucks, 7-6.
Turning Point
After the RubberDucks had righted the ship thanks to four runs in the third inning on an Oscar Gonzalez home run, the SeaWolves pushed two runs across thanks to back-to-back walks to lead off the inning followed by two seeing eye singles from Kerry Carpenter and John Valente, which gave Erie the 7-5 lead.
Mound Presence
The Akron pitching staff struggled for the outset of Sunday's game, with starting pitcher Eli Lingos getting touched for four first innings runs while only getting a single out against the SeaWolves. Lingos had previously been very effective in his two previous starts, allowing only one earned run over eight innings. Aaron Pinto and Dakody Clemmer came on in immediate relief of Eli Lingos and surrendered a combined three runs over four innings, while allowing five hits and issuing five walks. The back end of the RubberDucks bullpen, Francisco Perez and Skylar Arias were stellar, allowing only two hits over two innings, and combining for five strikeouts.
Duck Tales
In response to the SeaWolves' four-run first, Will Benson led off the top of the second with a triple into center field, then crossing the plate on a Chris Roller sacrifice fly. The RubberDucks' tendency for the big inning continued again on Sunday as they tallied four runs in the third, which began with a Jose Fermin leadoff walk followed by a Richie Palacios single into right field. Alex Call would push another run across for Akron when he hustled down the line to beat out a potential double play ball, scoring Jose Fermin. The scoring damage came from Oscar Gonzalez in that inning when he muscled a hanging off-speed pitch on a 0-1 count way beyond the left field wall at UPMC Park. Marcos Gonzalez added another run to the board for Akron with his ninth inning solo home run, but that would be all the Ducks could muster for a comeback.
Notebook
Oscar Gonzalez once again continues his hot streak to begin the season, collecting his fourth home run and is now up to eleven runs batted in ... Gonzalez's slugging percentage balloons to .615, which places him just outside the Double-A Northeast League Leaders list for slugging percentage ... Will Benson added his second triple of his young Double-A career, matching the number of triples he put up at High-A Lynchburg in 20219 (2) ... Time: 3:29 ... Attendance: 1,392
On the Pond
The RubberDucks' next game is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18 at 6:35 p.m. as Union Home Mortgage welcomes fans back home to Canal Park when the Ducks face off against the Reading Fightin' Phils. The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.
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