EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Win Despite Early Struggles

May 29, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


The Akron RubberDucks overcame an early 4-1 deficit in the first inning, rallying to score six runs and defeat the Bowie Baysox, 9-8, Wednesday night at Prince George's Stadium.

Turning Point

Ka'ai Tom was the man of the night for the RubberDucks, tying the score at 5-5 in the fifth inning with his first of two three-run home runs and then putting Akron ahead for good, 8-5, in the seventh inning with his second three-run home run of the game over the center field fence.

Mound Presence

Akron starter Tanner Tully worked through struggles in the early innings, surrendering a total of five earned runs on nine hits, walking two batters and striking out three. The Akron bullpen would surrender three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Kyle Nelson would come on to record the final out and tally his second save.

Duck Tales

Connor Marabell accounted for each of Akron's first two runs in the ballgame, homering beyond the right field fence in the top of the first and then driving in Ernie Clement on an RBI infield single in the top of the third inning. Those runs would keep the RubberDucks close, until the fifth inning when Ka'ai Tom continued his hot streak, homering to deep right center field and tying the score at 5-5. Tom would collect three more RBI on his second three-run home run of the game, totaling six runs batted in and giving Akron the 8-5 lead. Mitch Longo would push across a critical insurance run in the ninth inning with a ground ball up the middle to increase the Akron lead to 9-5, heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Notebook

Ka'ai Tom's six RBI were his career high for a single game in any level, and marks his second two-homer game this year for the RubberDucks ... Akron's 17 hits are the most in a game for the RubberDucks since last season, which came on 6/27/18 on the road against the Baysox ... The RubberDucks are now above .500 for the first time this season and stand in second place in the Eastern League Western Division... Time of game: 2:46 ... Attendance: 1,077.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks will have a quick turnaround, finishing their series with the Baysox tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App. Jake Paulson (2-3, 4.43) is slated to get the start for Akron in the series finale at Bowie against Baysox starter Marcos Molina (3-4, 3.42).

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics



Eastern League Stories from May 29, 2019


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