April 28: RubberDucks get first 6-game sweep, 6-5 in Altoona
April 28, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (13-8) 6, Altoona Curve (5-15) 5 WP: Jordan Jones (1-1) LP: Nick Dombkowski (1-1) Save: Lenny Torres Jr. (4) Summary Akron built and later lost a 4-0 lead but scored the game-winning run on a dropped fly ball in
April 28, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score
Akron RubberDucks (13-8) 6, Altoona Curve (5-15) 5
WP: Jordan Jones (1-1) LP: Nick Dombkowski (1-1) Save: Lenny Torres Jr. (4)
Summary
Akron built and later lost a 4-0 lead but scored the game-winning run on a dropped fly ball in the ninth inning of a 6-5 victory over the Altoona Curve, completing the RubberDucks’ first-ever six-game series sweep and extending their longest winning streak in nearly six years at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Sunday afternoon.
Turning Point
In a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning against left-hander Nick Dombkowski, second baseman Yordys Valdés hit a one-out single to left field. With two outs and Valdés running, right fielder Petey Halpin hit a fly ball to left-center field, where center fielder Jase Bowen and left fielder Joe Perez collided and the ball dropped between them, scoring Valdés.
We lead again!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
TOP 9 | Akron 6 | Altoona 5 pic.twitter.com/qq6ggpJQn5
Mound Presence
Akron left-hander Jaime Arias kept the Curve scoreless through two innings. In the third, a double, single and sacrifice fly scored Altoona’s first run. In the fourth, an error and single began the inning, and after recording an out, Arias departed after 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs – one earned – on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Right-hander Trey Benton got the last two outs of the fourth and worked around a leadoff single in the fifth. Right-hander Ross Carver worked a scoreless sixth inning. Right-hander Jordan Jones allowed a walk, double, and game-tying two-run double to designated hitter Seth Beer in the seventh before retiring four straight. Right-hander Lenny Torres Jr. walked two batters in the ninth inning but induced a game-ending double play for his fourth save in as many opportunities.
A Kane Painting Caught Stealing
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
P Jaime Arias to 1B Aaron Bracho to 2B Yordys Valdés pic.twitter.com/EgsSPwuvfd
Great run defense on a Sunday afternoon
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
Kane Painting Caught Stealing by the "The Viking" Micael Ramírez to @milantolentino pic.twitter.com/Z9P5wRUAhp
Turning two for our first-ever 6-game sweep & first 7-game win streak since May 2018!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
FINAL | Akron 6 | Altoona 5https://t.co/tXkPXbjSHm pic.twitter.com/dAQbmkxcjl
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks scored first for a sixth straight game in Altoona. In the second inning against left-hander Anthony Solometo, third baseman Dayan Frías walked, went to second base on a groundout and scored on shortstop Milan Tolentino’s RBI single – his third go-ahead RBI of the series. Valdés singled – his first of a team-high three hits – and catcher Micael Ramírez drove his first Double-A home run to left-center field for a 4-0 lead. The RubberDucks added a run in the fifth, when Valdés was hit by a pitch from right-hander Valentin Linarez, Ramírez singled, and left fielder Christian Cairo hit a sacrifice fly.
The third go-ahead RBI for @milantolentino this week!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
TOP 2 | Akron 1 | Altoona 0 pic.twitter.com/YrZjMq7TLh
The Viking goes deep!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
Micael Ramírez launches his first Western Reserve Distillers🍸 Double-A HOME RUN!
104 mph🚀389 feet
TOP 2 | Akron 4 | Altoona 0 pic.twitter.com/oDZYDNfq8M
A 3rd sac fly in 2 games for @chriatiancairo2, who has 4 RBI this week!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2024
TOP 5 | Akron 5 | Altoona 3 pic.twitter.com/y9503aPSjm
Notebook
Akron has a seven-game winning streak for the first time since May 2-8, 2018, against Binghamton, Bowie and Richmond…Since the six-game series began in 2021, the RubberDucks had not swept a six-game set. They had won all five games, with a sixth postponed, at Canal Park against Binghamton May 4-9, 2021…Akron has won eight straight over Altoona after the Curve won the season opener at Canal Park April 5…Game Time: 2:39…Attendance: 5,097.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open a six-game homestand with Richmond at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Canal Park. Akron right-hander Tommy Mace (2-1, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Ryan Murphy (1-1, 2.12 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.