EL Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Lose Early Lead, Fall in Portland, 13-7

Published on June 8, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron left fielder Johnathan Rodríguez and shortstop José Tena each homered, but the Portland Sea Dogs rallied from a 7-1 deficit for a 13-7 Thursday win over the RubberDucks in the third game of a six-game series at Hadlock Field.

Turning Point

With Akron ahead, 7-1, entering the bottom of the fourth inning, left-hander Will Dion allowed a leadoff infield single to Portland third baseman Chase Meidroth and walked catcher Nathan Hickey. First baseman Niko Kavadas hit a two-run double to right-center field to make it 7-3. After left fielder Matthew Lugo's popup fell for a single down the right-field line, designated hitter Stephen Scott hit an infield RBI single to make it 7-4, and right fielder Corey Rosier's RBI double cut the lead to 7-5. Right-hander Jordan Jones entered with two runners in scoring position. With two outs, second baseman Nick Yorke hit a go-ahead, three-run home run to left-center field for an 8-7 Portland lead.

Mound Presence

Dion struck out six of the first 11 batters he faced while allowing only an unearned run through three innings. He finished 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs - six earned - on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Jones allowed the go-ahead home run in the fourth inning and shortstop Cedanne Rafaela's solo home run in the sixth inning. Jones went 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Right-hander Zach Hart went two innings, allowing four earned runs in the eighth inning. He yielded four hits and four walks with one strikeout.

Duck Tales

For a second straight game, Rodríguez hit a two-run home run in his first at bat, crushing a ball 430 feet to center field for a 2-0 lead in the first inning against right-handed opener Joe Jones. In the third inning against right-hander Wyatt Olds, center fielder Petey Halpin hit a leadoff triple to right-center field, second baseman Angel Martínez walked, and first baseman Joe Naranjo hit a two-out, two-run double to left-center field for a 4-0 lead. In the fourth, designated hitter Connor Kokx walked, and Tena clobbered a 405-foot homer to right-center field. Halpin then doubled and later scored on Rafaela's throwing error to make it 7-1. After trailing, Akron had four hits and five runners left on base without scoring.

Notebook

Angel Martínez was hitless, ending a 12-game hitting streak that was the longest by a RubberDuck this season...Akron is 4-5 against Portland, which has the Eastern League's best record...Akron trails Southwest Division leaders Altoona (28-23) an Erie (29-24) by three games entering Thursday night's games...Game Time: 2:54...Attendance: 6,930.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Portland at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Hadlock Field. Akron right-hander Tanner Burns (2-2, 3.59 ERA) is scheduled to face Sea Dogs right-hander CJ Liu (4-3, 3.97 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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Eastern League Stories from June 8, 2023


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