RubberDucks Fall in Richmond, 5-1, Split Series
April 14, 2024 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Akron left fielder Alexfri Planez hit his first Double-A home run, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels tied the game and later won it with a decisive four-run sixth inning in a 5-1 series finale that capped a six-game series split with the RubberDucks at the Diamond Sunday afternoon.
Turning Point
In a 1-1 tie with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning against right-hander Bradley Hanner, Richmond first baseman Andy Thomas bunted for a one-out single, left fielder Carter Howell reached on a fielder's choice, and shortstop Yordys Valdés pulled second baseman Christian Cairo off second base with a short flip attempt. Catcher Adrian Sugastey then hit a go-ahead RBI single. Two batters later, designated hitter Grant McCray hit a three-run homer to make it 5-1.
Mound Presence
RubberDucks right-hander Aaron Davenport worked around a walk and double in the first inning, a single in the second, and two walks a single in the third, before Richmond tied the game in the fourth, with back-to-back singles, an error, and an RBI infield single by third baseman Luis Toribio. Davenport lasted 4 2/3 innings, yielding just a run on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Hanner got the final out in the fifth before the four-run sixth. Right-hander Tyler Thornton worked around a hit batter in a scoreless seventh inning. Right-hander Jordan Jones worked around a hit and two walks with two strikeouts in the eighth inning.
Duck Tales
Planez broke the scoreless tie with a second-inning leadoff home run - his first in Double-A - against Richmond right-hander Hayden Birdsong. Akron put two more runners on base in the inning but did not score again. The RubberDucks had baserunners in seven of the nine innings, but left the bases loaded in the seventh, and eight of the 11 left on base were in scoring position. Cairo led the RubberDucks with three hits.
Notebook
Akron right fielder Petey Halpin had two hits to extend his eight-game hitting streak to begin the season...Halpin's 1.156 OPS is second in the Eastern League, while his .500 on-base percentage, 13 hits and 21 total bases are each tied for second in the league...Game Time: 2:51...Attendance: 6,355.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open a six-game homestand with the Erie SeaWolves at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Canal Park. Akron left-hander Ryan Webb (0-0, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to face SeaWolves right-hander Troy Melton (0-0, 2.25 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.
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