EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Win in 10

Published on April 14, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron shortstop Erik Gonzalez lined a sharp, two-out, RBI single to center field in the bottom of the 10th inning, driving in Jeremy Lucas with the winning run in a thrilling, 5-4 victory over the Trenton Thunder at Canal Park.

Turning Point

Lucas drew a lead-off walk from Trenton reliever Kyle Haynes (0-1) to lead off the bottom of the 10th, and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Haynes followed with a strikeout and another walk, and then induced a pop-up by Jordan Smith for the second out. Gonzalez, however, wasted no time, jumping on a first-pitch fastball from Haynes and lining his game-winner into center field.

Mound Presence

Jacob Lee (1-0) earned his first AA win with a scoreless 10th. With the potential go-ahead run on third base, he fanned Trenton's Greg Bird to keep the game tied at 4-4. Although neither figured in the decision, both starters were impressive in their respective initial outings of the season. Akron's Ryan Merritt worked seven solid innings in his AA debut, allowing three runs on five hits. Thunder phenom Luis Severino was devastating in his five innings of work. He allowed just one hit, a single by Lucas, and struck out eight while touching 97 miles per hour on the stadium radar.

Duck Tales

Gonzalez had two hits and two RBI on the night, and now leads the club with six RBI. His first hit was part of a three-run rally in the sixth when the RubberDucks (2-3) came back from a 3-0 deficit. Second baseman Todd Hankins chipped in a key triple in the eighth and scored on a single by Smith.

Notes

It was the first extra-inning game of the season for the RubberDucks...Two of Akron's runs in the sixth scored on a dropped third strike and throwing error by catcher Gary Sanchez...1B Greg Bird homered for Trenton, his first of the year, but the Thunder's eighth as a team...The Thunder (3-2) stranded a runner on third in each of the last three innings...Time of game was 3:01...Attendance: 2,038.

Up Next

The RubberDucks and Thunder will play the second and final game of the series and the wrap-up of the homestand on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05. LHP Miguel Sulbaran will make get the ball for Trenton, while RHP Will Roberts is the expected starter for Akron. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and at www.akronrubberducks.com.

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Eastern League Stories from April 14, 2015


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