RubberDucks Lose, 3-2, Split Series in Portland
June 11, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The Portland Sea Dogs hit two home runs to build a 3-0 lead and held off the Akron RubberDucks' rally in a 3-2 final Sunday afternoon that split the six-game series at Hadlock Field and 12-game season series between the clubs.
Turning Point
With the RubberDucks trailing, 3-2, in the ninth inning, Portland right-hander Luis Guerrero walked first baseman Joe Naranjo, and a ground ball by right fielder Korey Holland was misplayed by shortstop Marcelo Mayer. After a sacrifice by center fielder Connor Kokx, Akron had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. But Guerrero struck out shortstop José Tena and left fielder Petey Halpin to end the game.
Mound Presence
Right-hander Hunter Stanley allowed a solo home run to designated hitter Tyler Dearden leading off the third inning to break a scoreless tie. In the fourth, Stanley walked first baseman Niko Kavadas, before catcher Nathan Hickey hit a two-run home run to center field for a 3-0 Portland lead. Stanley finished five innings, allowing four hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Left-hander Matt Turner worked around two walks for two scoreless innings in his Double-A debut. Right-hander Zach Hart worked around a leadoff single in a scoreless eighth inning.
Duck Tales
Akron was scoreless in the first four innings against right-hander Brian Van Belle. In the fifth, Kokx hit a one-out single to right-center field. Tena put down a bunt that Hickey threw past first base, allowing runners to reach second and third bases. Halpin hit a sacrifice fly, and third baseman Angel Martínez hit an RBI single to close the deficit to 3-2. Akron left two runners on base against Van Belle in the sixth inning, before right-hander Ryan Fernandez went two perfect innings.
Notebook
Halpin was 9-for-25 in the series with four doubles, a triple, four runs and four RBIs. Juan Brito was 7-for-19 in the series. Both have four-game hitting streaks...Akron won three of six in Portland and went 6-6 against the Sea Dogs, who have the Eastern League's best record...Portland outscored Akron, 38-37, in the six-game series...Akron trails first-place Altoona (30-25) by 2.5 games in the Southwest Division. The first half ends with games on Sunday, June 25...Game Time: 2:10...Attendance: 7,368.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open a series at New Hampshire at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. 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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