June 29: Early runs sink RubberDucks in Erie, 9-3
June 29, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Erie SeaWolves (1-0, 38-31) 9, Akron RubberDucks (0-1, 35-35) 3 WP: Keider Montero (6-2) LP: Ross Carver (0-2) Save: none Summary Akron right fielder Johnathan Rodríguez hit his team-leading 12th home run, but the Erie SeaWolves plated eight runs in the
June 29, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score
Erie SeaWolves (1-0, 38-31) 9, Akron RubberDucks (0-1, 35-35) 3
WP: Keider Montero (6-2) LP: Ross Carver (0-2) Save: none
Summary
Akron right fielder Johnathan Rodríguez hit his team-leading 12th home run, but the Erie SeaWolves plated eight runs in the first two innings for a 9-3 win in the opener of a six-game series at UPMC Park Thursday night in Erie, Pennsylvania.
A majestic moonshot by @jjrodz55
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 29, 2023
TOP 6 | Erie 8 | Akron 3 pic.twitter.com/gQmjDm7V6B
Turning Point
With Akron leading, 1-0, in the bottom of the first inning, Akron right-hander Ross Carver walked center fielder Trei Cruz, and designated hitter Justice Bigbie hit a game-tying RBI double to left-center field. Shortstop Andrew Navigato added a go-ahead RBI double down the left-field line, stole third base and scored on a ground ball by first baseman Chris Meyers to give Erie a 3-1 lead.
Mound Presence
After the three-run first inning, Carver allowed a double and single to start the second inning, before a two-run single by designated hitter Justice Bigbie, a walk, hit batter, and consecutive singles by first baseman Chris Meyers and third baseman Danny Serretti to make it 8-1. Left-hander Matt Turner entered to walk catcher Dillon Dingler before retiring the next eight batters in order. Turner worked around a hit and a walk to induce two ground-ball double plays and face one over the minimum 4 1/3 innings with one strikeout. Right-hander Zach Hart pitched two innings, yielding a solo home run to Navigato in the seventh inning.
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks took the lead against right-hander Keider Montero in the first inning. Shortstop José Tena walked, stole second base and reached third base on a throwing error by catcher Dillon Dingler. Second baseman Angel Martínez then hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Montero held Akron scoreless from then until the sixth inning, when Martínez hit a leadoff double to left-center field. Montero and right-hander Tim Naughton struck out consecutive batters, before Rodríguez pummeled a home run to the top of Erie Insurance Arena to cut the deficit to 8-3.
Team-high 38th RBI for Angel Martínez
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 29, 2023
TOP 1 | Akron 1 | Erie 0 pic.twitter.com/xZGjs3ZStF
Notebook
Rodríguez and designated hitter Aaron Bracho each extended six-game hitting streaks…Rodríguez and Martínez share the team lead with 38 RBI each…Erie leads the season series, 3-1, and has scored an Eastern League-leading 397 runs this season…Game Time: 2:24…Attendance: 5,136.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their series in Erie in a 5:05 p.m. doubleheader Friday at UPMC Park. Left-hander Doug Nikhazy (2-4, 4.10 ERA) is scheduled to face SeaWolves right-hander Wilmer Flores (4-3, 4.01 ERA) in Game 1, and right-hander Tanner Burns (2-3, 3.40 ERA) is scheduled to face Erie right-hander Ty Madden (1-1, 4.38 ERA in Game 2). 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.