RubberDucks Take Fourth in a Row over Binghamton 8-3, Royalty Shines in His First Double-A Victory
May 8, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
After rain pushed the start time back over 90 minutes, the RubberDucks didn't hesitate to put up five runs in the first two frames, promptly putting away the Rumble Ponies 8-3 for their fourth consecutive win to open the season.
Turning Point
The delay at the start of the game made the RubberDucks hungry early on as a three-run first inning, the biggest play of the inning being an Oscar Gonzalez single that made it 3-0 early. The RubberDucks showed from that point on that they weren't done with multi-run innings, something they've done seven times in four games already this season.
Mound Presence
Recently called up from High-A Lake County pitcher Alex Royalty took the mound for the RubberDucks in the fourth game of the season. Aside from two runs by Binghamton in the second inning, Royalty had a royal outing striking out five and only giving up 5 hits. Jake Miednik was called in from the bullpen to start the fifth inning to work into the sixth inning, going 1.2 innings and giving up one run, before Aaron Pinto took over for him in the sixth.
Duck Tales
After taking a 3-0 lead in the first, Binghamton responded with two runs in the second. Will Toffey started off with an RBI single into right field. Yoel Romero cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly. The Ducks flocked back in the second with another multi-run inning. With two men on, Alex Call hit into a fielder's choice that brought home Richie Palacios. Will Benson then knocked in Bo Naylor with a RBI -single to make it 5-2. The Ducks would cross the plate two more times in the sixth inning when Tyler Freeman, the number two prospect in the Indians system, knocked a fly ball into the gap in right center and legged it out for a triple, bringing home a run. Richie Palacios would hit an RBI single to bring home Freeman.
Notebook
Oscar Gonzalez had the biggest night for the RubberDucks. He was 2-4 on the night with 2 RBI's and had the game's lone homer in the seventh inning when he knocked a big fly off the light tower in left field. The RubberDucks have now matched their longest winning streak since 2018, taking four in a row against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The RubberDucks posted four different four-game winning streaks in 2019, but were never able to string together anything longer.
On the Pond
The Ducks and Rumble Ponies will meet for the fifth game of this series Saturday night at Canal Park. First Pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, their iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV. Shane McCarthy will make his first start of the season on the bump Saturday matching up against a Binghamton's bullpen day.
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