May 10: RubberDucks pitch 6th shutout, 4-0 in Bowie

May 10, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (20-11) 4, Bowie Baysox (16-14) 0

WP: Jack Leftwich (1-2) LP: Brandon Young (0-1) Save: none

Summary

Akron left-hander Doug Nikhazy struck out six batters in three innings and combined with three RubberDucks relievers on a five-hit shutout of the Bowie Baysox, the highest-scoring team in the Eastern League, while center fielder Petey Halpin slugged a three-run home run in the fourth game of a six-game series at Prince George’s Stadium Friday night.

Ducks can dominate in the rain 💪☔️@Dougnikhazy 6 K in 3 IP, now 14 scoreless IP to begin the year, with 19 K

END 3 | Akron 0 | Bowie 0 pic.twitter.com/oK5KABlkyF

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2024

Turning Point

Akron held a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning, when catcher Micael Ramírez drew a one-out walk against right-hander Kyle Brnovich. Left fielder Connor Kokx doubled to left field, and Halpin drilled a three-run home run – his second of the season – to right-center field, extending his eight-game hitting streak and pushing the Akron lead to 4-0.

Mound Presence

Nikhazy worked a perfect first inning and worked around two hits in the second inning with an inning-ending strikeout, beginning his four-strikeout string to end his three-inning start. Right-hander Bradley Hanner worked around a walk and bunt single to get an inning-ending double play in the fourth and overcame a walk and hit batter with consecutive strikeouts to end the fifth. Right-hander Jack Leftwich entered with the tying run at first base in the sixth and stranded two runners to keep the 1-0 lead. He also worked around a walk in the seventh to finish two hitless innings. Right-hander Trey Benton worked around one hit for two scoreless innings to finish Akron’s sixth shutout – tied for the most by any minor league or major league club this season.

Protecting the lead 💪 @Bradleyhanner3

With 1 out, tying & go-ahead runs aboard:
- Double play to end 4th
- Back-to-back Ks to end 5th

END 5 | Akron 1 | Bowie 0 pic.twitter.com/hFR6LyulMS

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2024

2 hitless IP & 2 K by @Jacklefty21

END 7 | Akron 4 | Bowie 0 pic.twitter.com/L93lEwLIwz

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2024

RUBBERDUCKS SHUTOUT NUMBER SIX!

Tied for the most in @MLB or @MiLB @TreyBenton12 caps a shutout of the league's highest-scoring club

FINAL | Akron 4 | Bowie 0https://t.co/1ejDCAFX5u pic.twitter.com/R5maptW9Kb

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2024

Duck Tales

Akron broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth inning, when right fielder Alexfri Planez hit a leadoff infield single against right-hander Brandon Young and advanced to second base on catcher Kody Huff’s groundout. First baseman Joe Naranjo singled to center field to score Planez.

Scoreless no more!@joenaranjo_ RBI single

TOP 4 | Akron 1 | Bowie 0 pic.twitter.com/FIEAd3GaDZ

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 11, 2024

Notebook

Halpin’s home run was his first since April 7…Hanner has five straight scoreless outings (8 2/3 innings), and Leftwich has four straight (six innings)…Akron shut out Bowie, which has scored the most runs (157) of any Eastern League club…Akron has the second lowest team ERA (2.61) among all major and minor league clubs this season…The RubberDucks pitched four shutouts in the entire 2023 season…Game Time: 2:45…Attendance: 5,839.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Bowie at 6:35 p.m. Saturday at Prince George’s Stadium. Akron right-hander Tommy Mace (3-1, 2.20 ERA) is scheduled to face Baysox right-hander Seth Johnson (0-3, 4.60 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.