RubberDucks Get First 6-Game Sweep, 6-5 in Altoona
April 28, 2024 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Akron built and later lost a 4-0 lead but scored the game-winning run on a dropped fly ball in the ninth inning of a 6-5 victory over the Altoona Curve, completing the RubberDucks' first-ever six-game series sweep and extending their longest winning streak in nearly six years at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Sunday afternoon.
Turning Point
In a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning against left-hander Nick Dombkowski, second baseman Yordys Valdés hit a one-out single to left field. With two outs and Valdés running, right fielder Petey Halpin hit a fly ball to left-center field, where center fielder Jase Bowen and left fielder Joe Perez collided and the ball dropped between them, scoring Valdés.
Mound Presence
Akron left-hander Jaime Arias kept the Curve scoreless through two innings. In the third, a double, single and sacrifice fly scored Altoona's first run. In the fourth, an error and single began the inning, and after recording an out, Arias departed after 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs - one earned - on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Right-hander Trey Benton got the last two outs of the fourth and worked around a leadoff single in the fifth. Right-hander Ross Carver worked a scoreless sixth inning. Right-hander Jordan Jones allowed a walk, double, and game-tying two-run double to designated hitter Seth Beer in the seventh before retiring four straight. Right-hander Lenny Torres Jr. walked two batters in the ninth inning but induced a game-ending double play for his fourth save in as many opportunities.
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks scored first for a sixth straight game in Altoona. In the second inning against left-hander Anthony Solometo, third baseman Dayan Frías walked, went to second base on a groundout and scored on shortstop Milan Tolentino 's RBI single - his third go-ahead RBI of the series. Second baseman Yordys Valdés singled - his first of a team-high three hits - and catcher Micael Ramírez drove his first Double-A home run to left-center field for a 4-0 lead. The RubberDucks added a run in the fifth, when Valdés was hit by a pitch from right-hander Valentin Linarez, Ramírez singled, and left fielder Christian Cairo hit a sacrifice fly.
Notebook
Akron has a seven-game winning streak for the first time since May 2-8, 2018, against Binghamton, Bowie and Richmond...Since the six-game series began in 2021, the RubberDucks had not swept a six-game set. They had won all five games, with a sixth postponed, at Canal Park against Binghamton May 4-9, 2021...Akron has won eight straight over Altoona after the Curve won the season opener at Canal Park April 5...Game Time: 2:39...Attendance: 5,097.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open a six-game homestand with Richmond at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Canal Park. Akron right-hander Tommy Mace (2-1, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Ryan Murphy (1-1, 2.12 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 .
Eastern League Stories from April 28, 2024
- Three Homers Not Enough to Overcome Reading in Sunday Series Finale - Somerset Patriots
- Reading Earns Series Win After 6-3 Victory over Somerset - Reading Fightin Phils
- RubberDucks Get First 6-Game Sweep, 6-5 in Altoona - Akron RubberDucks
- Sea Dogs Fall 12-5 in Series Finale - Portland Sea Dogs
- Basallo's Two Homers Lift Baysox to Sunday Win - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sterlin Thompson Powers the Yard Goats Past Portland in 12-5 Win - Hartford Yard Goats
- Beer Drives in Three in Sunday Defeat - Altoona Curve
- Tidwell Shines, Ponies Drop Tight Series Finale at New Hampshire - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Squirrels Drop Homestand Finale - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Senators and Erie Postponed Sunday - Harrisburg Senators
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