EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Top Curve behind Plutko

Published on July 30, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron's Adam Plutko weaved eight impressive innings, and closer Jeff Johnson secured his 18th save, as the RubberDucks slipped by the Altoona Curve, 4-2, in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night at People's Natural Gas Field..

Turning Point

With the score tied, 2-2, RubberDucks all-star third baseman Yandy Diaz launched a lead-off homer in the sixth inning off Altoona starter Jason Creasy (8-5). It was Diaz's third homer of the year. Two innings later, Diaz helped Akron add an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.

Mound Presence

Plutko (6-4) scuffled early, allowing a run in the first on a double by Adam Frazier, a sacrifice bunt by Max Moroff and a sacrifice fly by Josh Bell. Then he served up a solo homer to Jose Osuna leading off the bottom of the second. After that, the right-hander from UCLA settled down, began throwing all his pitches for strikes, and retired the next 15 batters in a row. Bell singled in the seventh to break up the string, but Plutko responded by setting down the next six to finish his outing. Over his eight innings, Plutko allowed just three hits and two runs. He walked none and fanned eight. He retired 21 of the last 22 batters he faced, and lowered his ERA to 2.81. It was his second straight victory over the Curve (57-49). Johnson came on to pitch the ninth and worked around a two-out double by Bell to post his 18th save. He is a perfect 18-18 in save chances.

Duck Tales

Diaz was 1-3, with two RBI. He is hitting .306, which places him 8th in the EL. Ronny Rodriguez tripled a run home in the scond to tie the game at 1-1, and cranked a solo homer in the fourth off Creasy to make it 2-2. The homer was Rodriguez's seventh of the year. The RubberDucks stole three bases in the game, with Bradley Zimmer, Jordan Smith, and Bryson Myles all stealing one apiece. For Myles, it was his 14th of the year, which ranks second on the team to Todd Hankins' 20.

Notes

The RubberDucks (54-52) snapped a three-game losing streak and won their fourth straight against Altoona...Akron is now just three games out of second place with 36 games left...Creasy made his sixth start of the season against Akron and dropped to 1-2 against the Ducks...Of Akron's 55 home runs, 41 have been solo shots...SS Eric Stamets was officially added to the roster Thursday but did not play....Stamets was acquired from the Angels in the David Murphy trade on Tuesday...Time of game: 2:15...Attendance: 3,655.

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Eastern League Stories from July 30, 2015


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