RubberDucks Split Doubleheader Friday against Erie, Dropping Game One 8-2 But Exploding for 6-0 Game Two Win
June 4, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
After back-to-back days of rainouts, the Akron RubberDucks and Erie SeaWolves each took a win in a traditional double header Friday night at Canal Park. Game one of the double header, a makeup of Wednesday night's rainout, looked eerily similar to Tuesday's series opening 7-2 win for Erie as the SeaWolves once again used a 5-run fifth inning to once again down the Ducks in a 8-2 victory on Friday night. The RubberDucks took game two in decisive fashion thanks to a sixth inning three-run blast from Chris Roller to down the SeaWolves, 6-0.
Turning Point
Game one: The turning point occurred in the top of the fifth inning. Leading 3-2, Erie loaded up the bases with no outs due to a throwing error and two walks by the Ducks. Kerry Carpenter would then hit a bloop single that dropped on the left field line and would turn into a double as all three base runners would cross home to make it 6-2. Later in the inning, Dylan Rosa would hit a sharp grounder up second base and got into the outfield, bringing home 2 more runs and making it 8-2.
Game two: After tallying one run in three of the first four innings, the RubberDucks broke the game wide open late after he took a letter-high 2-0 fastball over the fence in deep right center into the bullpens at Canal Park, doubling the RubberDucks lead to 6-0 after six.
Mound Presence
Shane McCarthy got the start for the RubberDucks in game 1 and it was not the performance he was hoping for. In 4 innings of work, McCarthy gave up 7 runs, 6 of those earned, on 5 hits while walking and striking out 3. Most of the damage came in the fifth inning when Erie scored three runs off of him due to a base clearing double. Dakody Clemmer came in and it wasn't any easier for him, Erie would knock in 2 more runs to extend their lead to six. Clemmer lasted one inning and had 1 earned run on 1 hit. He struck out and walked two as well. Skylar Arias was the third pitcher the RubberDucks brought in. Arias performed the best out of the three as he allowed just one hit and struck out three in two innings of work.
Thomas Ponticelli would get the start for the RubberDucks, now playing as Conetown, USA for game 2, and it would be a very successful outing for him Ponticelli went five innings, pitching a shutout, giving up five hits, striking out three and gave up one walk. Aaron Pinto came in relief in the sixth inning, and worked two scoreless innings with five of the six outs coming via the strikeout.
Duck Tales
Akron kicked off game one of the doubleheader when Alex Call knocked one deep to left that cleared the wall and gave Akron the 1-0 lead. Erie responded in the top of the 2nd when Josh Valente hit an rbi-ground out to tie the game at one. They would take the lead in the third when Drew Ward hit a hard grounder that just got by Andruw Monasterio and scored two runs to give them a 3-1 lead. The Ducks would respond in the bottom of the fourth when once again, Alex Call hit a high fly ball to right center and hit the batters eye and gave Call his 2nd homer of the game and cut the lead to one. However, the Seawolves would blow it open in the top half of the fifth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Kerry Carpenter hit a blooper into left that was just inside the line and allowed all three runners on base to cross home. They added more insurance in the inning when Dylan Rosa hit a 2-rbi single past second base and made it 8-2.
Just like in game one, Akron started the scoring in the bottom of the first in game 2 when Richie Palacios hit a single into center field that allowed Andruw Monasterio to score. Akron would add another run in the bottom of the fourth when Oscar Gonzalez smoked one to left center and added to his team-leading home run total with his seventh of the year, tying him for third in the Northeast League for home runs, his sixth home run at Canal Park this season. The lead would be extended to three when Josh Rolette would hit a line drive to left field that would score Will Benson in the fifth. The Ducks doubled their lead late as Chris Roller drove a 2-0 fastball into the bullpen in right field to seal the doubleheader split for the RubberDucks.
Notebook
Alex Call had his second multi home run game of his career in the first game, his first since August 9, 2018 when he was with the Birmingham Barons (White Sox AA). With his two home runs tonight, Alex Call has elevated his batting average to .325 in 22 games, placing him second on the team in batting average behind Tyler Freeman who is hitting a scorching .360 on the season. Oscar Gonzalez continues to show immense power at the Double-A level, ripping off his eighth home run of the season, placing him T-3rd in the league for HRs and 5th in Slugging percentage with a .558 line ... Time of Game 1: 2:18. Time of Game 2: ... Attendance: 4,150.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks and Seawolves will play game four of this five game series Saturday night at Canal Park. First Pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Juan Hillman (2-1, 2.73) will be on the mound for Akron while Erie will send out Mark Leiter Jr. (1-2, 4.08) to pitch. The game broadcasted is on 640 WHLO AM, the WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.
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