EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Split Double Dip

Published on June 2, 2019 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron RubberDucks Alexis Pantoja and Tyler Friis hit their first home runs of the season as back-to-back game-tying and go-ahead homers in the fourth inning of a 7-2, seven-inning comeback win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. In Game 2, Erie SeaWolves designated hitter Kody Eaves hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning, a game-tying triple in the ninth inning, and walk-off three-run home run in the 11th inning of an 8-5 Game 2 win at UPMC Park.

Turning Point

With Erie leading Game 1, 2-0, in the top of the fourth inning, SeaWolves right-hander Matt Manning (4-3) walked first baseman Nellie Rodriguez with one out. Pantoja then homered to right-center field - his first since Aug. 24, 2017 - to tie the game, 2-2. The next batter, Friis, homered to right field - his first since June 16, 2018 - giving a 3-2 lead, which it never lost in the Game 1 win. Game 2 turned when Eaves' solo home run in the seventh inning off right-hander Nick Sandlin tied the game, 2-2. Each team scored single runs in the eighth, ninth, and 10th innings, before Eaves' game-winning homer off right-hander Dalbert Siri (1-1) in the 11th.

Mound Presence

In Game 1, Akron right-hander Eli Morgan (3-0) allowed consecutive second-inning home runs to Erie's Kade Scivicque and Chad Sedio but went 5 2/3 innings to win his third straight start. Left-hander Kyle Nelson struck out all four batters he faced for his third save. In Game 2, right-hander Aaron Civale matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts (including a four-strikeout sixth inning) and allowed one run in six innings.

Duck Tales

Akron secured Game 1 with a four-run seventh inning, including Ka'ai Tom's third home run of the week and ninth this season. In Game 2, first baseman Wilson Garcia's fourth-inning two-run double (his Eastern League leading 19th) gave Akron a 2-0 lead. Akron carried one-run leads into the bottom of the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th, all of which Erie tied.

Notebook

Wilson Garcia doubled in Game 1 and had three hits in Game 2, extending his season-long 11-game hitting streak and team season-high 16-game on-base streak...Akron is 2-1-1 in doubleheaders, including 1-0-1 on the road and dropped to 5-6 in extra innings, including 2-3 on the road...Time of games: Game 1 - 2:04, Game 2 - 2:56...Attendance: 2,386.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks open a home series with Reading at Canal Park on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. EDT. LHP Tanner Tully (4-4, 3.70) is scheduled to start for Akron against LHP Bailey Falter (4-3, 3.05) for the Fightin Phils. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.

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Eastern League Stories from June 2, 2019


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