July 4: Battenfield and offense start strong in 4-3 Ducks win over Senators

RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (3-4, 38-38) 4, Harrisburg Senators (4-3, 35-40) 3

WP: Zach Hart (1-1) LP: Dustin Saenz (0-2) Save: Jordan Jones (1)

Summary

The Akron RubberDucks struck for four in the first to back strong pitching in a 4-3 series opening win over the Harrisburg Senators on Tuesday night at Canal Park. Cleveland Guardians pitcher Peyton Battenfield struck out three in his rehab start.

Turning Point

Akron’s offense got off to a hot start as Petey Halpin opened the bottom half of the first with a triple. Jose Tena drove Halpin in with an infield single to make it 1-0 RubberDucks. After a fielder’s choice and Johnathan Rodriguez single put runners on first and second, Juan Brito lined a double down the line at third to make it 2-0 Akron.

Mound Presence

Battenfield was able to work around base runners and keep the Senators off the scoreboard in his first rehab outing since being placed on the injured list on May 18. The right-hander walked four and surrendered one hit, but struck out three and only allowed one runner past second on his way to three scoreless innings. Matt Turner followed tossing three and two-third innings allowing three runs while punching out three. Zach Hart tossed a scoreless inning and third with two strikeouts. Jordan Jones worked a perfect ninth to pick up the save.

Duck Tales

The RubberDucks offense stayed hot in the first. After Brito’s double, Senators starter Dustin Saenz balked home Rodriguez to make it 3-0 Akron. Joe Naranjo capped the scoring lining a single into left-center to make it 4-0 RubberDucks.

Notebook

Battenfield threw 58 pitches (33 strikes) and topped out at 92 mph in his start…Seven of the nine Ducks batters recorded a hit in the game…Game Time: 2:27…Attendance: 7,156.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks will continue their series with the Harrisburg Senators at Canal Park on Wednesday, July 5 at 6:35 p.m. Akron right-hander Tanner Burns (2-3, 3.47 ERA) will get the start for the RubberDucks. The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for all RubberDucks home games, are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.