EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Throttle Fisher Cats 10-3

Published on August 11, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron's Nellie Rodriguez slugged a grand slam in the first at-bat of his Double-A debut, and Adam Plutko worked six strong innings for his seventh win, as the RubberDucks clobbered the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 10-3, Tuesday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Turning Point

Nellie Rodriguez, a 21-year-old first baseman, was called up Monday from Single-A Lynchburg, where he was leading the Carolina League with 17 homers and 84 RBI. He was hitting sixth in Tuesday's Akron lineup, and came to bat in the first inning with two outs and the bases loaded against Cats starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx (4-6). After working a 2-2 count, Rodriguez launched a towering grand slam over the left field wall to give Akron a 4-0 lead.

Mound Presence

Plutko (7-4) won his third consecutive decision by going six innings. He served up a three-run homer to Dwight Smith, Jr. in the 3rd inning that allowed the Fisher Cats to briefly pull to within a run. Plutko scattered five hits, walked two and fanned four. His ERA with Akron stands at 2.84. Righthanders Zach Nuding, Ben Heller and Casey Weathers provided a scoreless inning apiece to finish off the game.

Duck Tales

Nellie Rodriguez finished the game 1-5. Bradley Zimmer clubbed a solo homer in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 5-3. The drive off the stadium scoreboard in right field was Zimmer's fourth of the year. Yandy Diaz was 3-5, with an RBI and raised his average to .314. Todd Hankins also had a three-hit night, going 3-4, with a double and RBI. Hankins has eight hits in his last three games. Shortstop Eric Stamets chipped in an RBI triple.

Notes

The RubberDucks (62-54) have won five straight games and improved to a season-high, eight games over the .500-mark...With Altoona's 13-6 loss at home to Binghamton, the RubberDucks are alone in 2nd place in the EL West with 26 games to play...Ronny Rodriguez was hit on the left elbow in the seventh inning by Cats reliever Danny Barnes and had to leave the game...Time of game: 3:06...Attendance: 5,099.

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Eastern League Stories from August 11, 2015


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