RubberDucks Lose Thriller in Altoona, 9-8
Published on August 26, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The Akron RubberDucks scored four first-inning runs off right-hander Paul Skenes in his Double-A debut and retook the lead in the seventh and eighth innings, but the Altoona Curve rallied and won, 9-8, on a ninth-inning, walk-off infield single by catcher Carter Bins to take the fifth game of a six-game series at Peoples Natural Gas Field Saturday night.
Turning Point
Akron led, 8-7, entering the bottom of the ninth inning, when Altoona shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng led off with a popup double down the left-field line, and center fielder Matt Gorski grounded a game-tying double down the right-field line against right-hander Davis Sharpe. Designated hitter Joe Perez singled, putting runners at first and third bases, before right fielder Matt Fraizer was intentionally walked. Sharpe then struck out second baseman Andres Alvarez and got left fielder Connor Scott on an infield fly, but Bins hit a grounder off Sharpe's foot and beat the pitcher's throw to first base.
Mound Presence
Akron left-hander Doug Nikhazy allowed a pair of first-inning runs on an error, two hits and an obstruction call, bringing Altoona within 4-2. He allowed three more in the second on a walk and three hits. Right-hander Mason Hickman quieted Altoona for a 3 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings with one walk and three strikeouts. Right-hander Tyler Thornton pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Perez in the seventh. Right-hander Trey Benton got two outs in the seventh. Sharpe worked a perfect eighth inning before the Curve's winning rally in the ninth.
Duck Tales
RubberDucks left fielder Petey Halpin led off the game with a single against Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft last month. After a walk to shortstop Milan Tolentino, third baseman Aaron Bracho hit a one-out RBI single, and right fielder Korey Holland added an RBI double. First baseman Joe Naranjo walked with two outs, ending Skenes' start after seven batters. Catcher Michael Berglund drew a bases-loaded walk, and a wild pitch by right-hander Noe Toribio scored another run to make it 4-0. In the seventh, second baseman Juan Brito singled, Bracho walked and Holland singled to load the bases. Naranjo had a game-tying groundout, and Berglund hit a go-ahead, two-run single for a 7-5 RubberDucks lead. In the eighth, designated hitter Bryce Ball drew a bases-loaded walk for an 8-7 Akron advantage.
Notebook
Halpin, Tolentino, and Holland each had two-hit games...Akron fell six games behind Bowie (28-22) in the Southwest Division second-half playoff race...Altoona leads the season series with Akron, 6-5...Game Time: 3:14...Attendance: 10,164 (largest in the Eastern League this season and largest in Altoona's ballpark history).
On the Pond
The RubberDucks conclude their series in Altoona at 1 p.m. Sunday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Right-hander Tommy Mace (4-4, 5.68 ERA) is scheduled to face Curve left-hander Nick Dombkowski (5-4, 3.23 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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