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April 23: Bracho homers, Ducks shut out Curve, 4-0

Jaime Arias pitched began Akron's shutout in Altoona with four scoreless innings Tuesday night. (Kayla McMillen)
April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (8-8) 4, Altoona Curve (5-10) 0 WP: Davis Sharpe (1-0) LP: Chris Gau (0-2) Save: none Summary Akron designated hitter Aaron Bracho hit a third-inning, three-run home run, and four RubberDucks combined for a two-hit shutout in a 4-0

April 23, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (8-8) 4, Altoona Curve (5-10) 0

WP: Davis Sharpe (1-0) LP: Chris Gau (0-2) Save: none

Summary

Akron designated hitter Aaron Bracho hit a third-inning, three-run home run, and four RubberDucks combined for a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over the Altoona Curve to open a six-game series at Peoples Natural Gas Field Tuesday night.

Turning Point

In a scoreless game in the third inning against Altoona right-hander Chris Gau, Akron second baseman Kahlil Watson and center fielder Chase DeLauter hit consecutive two-out singles, before Bracho launched a 359-foot home run down the right-field line – his third of the season, with all being go-ahead homers.

Mound Presence

Akron left-hander Jaime Árias began with four scoreless innings, working around baserunners in each inning, including a walk in the first inning, a single and a walk in the second inning, and a hit batter and walk in the third inning. A two-out walk in the fourth was erased on a caught stealing. He departed after a leadoff walk in the fifth, finishing four innings, allowing one hit and five walks with three strikeouts. Right-hander Davis Sharpe induced a double play to end the fifth and worked around a double and walk in the sixth inning for two scoreless frames. Left-hander Erik Sabrowski struck out the first four batters he faced and got another double play in two hitless innings. Right-hander Jordan Jones worked around a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

Duck Tales

Akron added a run in the fifth inning, when left fielder Petey Halpin hit a leadoff single against right-hander Cameron Junker, who later walked three more batters in the inning, capped by catcher Kody Huff’s two-out RBI walk.

Notebook

Bracho’s team-high 11 RBI are tied for seventh-most in the Eastern League…Watson extended his six-game hitting streak and is 9-for-26 in that span…Akron pitched its second shutout of Altoona and third overall this season, tied for most in the Eastern League…Game Time: 2:37…Attendance: 3,329.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Altoona at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Akron right-hander Tommy Mace (1-1, 3.14 ERA) is scheduled to face Curve right-hander Bubba Chandler (1-0, 2.92 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.