May 11: RubberDucks keep hitting, beat Curve, 4-2

May 11, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (15-14) 4, Altoona Curve (13-15) 2

WP: Jack Leftwich (2-2) LP: Tyler Samaniego (1-1) Save: Cade Smith (9)

Summary

All nine batters in the Akron lineup had at least one of the team’s 13 hits, while left-hander Doug Nikhazy and right-hander Jack Leftwich each allowed only one run in four innings in a 4-2 RubberDucks win over the Altoona Curve and fourth straight victory overall in the third game of a six-game series at Peoples Natural Gas Field Thursday night.

Turning Point

In a 2-2 tie entering the ninth inning, right fielder Connor Kokx had his third hit with a leadoff single to right field against left-hander Tyler Samaniego. Kokx advanced on center fielder Julian Escobedo’s sacrifice and shortstop José Tena’s groundout. Down 0-2 in the count, designated hitter Angel Martínez lined an RBI double to left-center field. Then with Martínez running, catcher Bryan Lavastida grounded deep to shortstop and beat the throw to first base for a single, allowing Martínez to score and make it 4-2.

*Angel Martinez

Sorry we got excited

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 12, 2023

Yes, we are fast!⚡️⚡️@Lavastida_ motors down the line to beat out the infield single while Martinez comes around to score from second!

TOP 9: Akron 4 | Altoona 2 pic.twitter.com/Faq7SRlVS0

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 12, 2023

Mound Presence

Nikhazy worked around three walks while not allowing a Curve hit in the first three innings. With two outs in the fourth, however, he allowed a double to shortstop Andres Alvarez and RBI single to left fielder Connor Scott, giving Altoona a 1-0 lead. Nikhazy allowed only two hits and three walks with five strikeouts in four innings. Leftwich began the fifth inning with a 2-1 lead but allowed a game-tying solo home run to second baseman Liover Peguero. Leftwich then worked around another hit and walk in his four-inning appearance, keeping the game tied, 2-2. Right-hander Cade Smith began the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead but hit Alvarez and allowed Scott’s single. After a sacrifice put the tying runs in scoring position, Smith struck out pinch hitter Matt Fraizer and got Peguero to ground out to third base to earn his ninth save in as many chances this season and his 17th straight converted save chance – a stretch that began Aug. 3, 2022, in Altoona.

Duck Tales

Trailing, 1-0, in the fifth inning, Akron rallied for its first lead of the game. First baseman Joe Naranjo hit an infield single, Kokx doubled down the third-base line, and Tena lined a one-out, two-run double to right-center field for a 2-1 Akron lead.

JOSE TENA for 2!!

Tena plates two on his double to put us ahead!

TOP 5: Akron 2 | Altoona 1 pic.twitter.com/jOUMpBu6c3

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2023

Notebook

Kokx and Johnathan Rodríguez each had three hits to lead the RubberDucks…For a second straight game, Akron tied its season high with 13 hits. The RubberDucks are 38-for-115 (.330) in the first three games of the series and have outscored the Curve, 23-10…Lavastida is 6-for-15 with six RBIs in the first three games of the series and is 9-for-23 with seven RBIs in a five-game hitting streak….Escobedo, Martínez and Rodríguez each have four-game hitting streaks…Game Time: 2:17…Attendance: 3,011.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Altoona at 6 p.m. Friday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Akron right-hander Hunter Stanley (0-3, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to face Curve right-hander Aaron Shortridge (2-2, 4.91 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.