June 5: Planez, Kayfus homer in 9-1 Ducks win in Portland

June 5, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (31-22) 9, Portland Sea Dogs (29-24) 1

WP: Jaime Arias (2-1) LP: Angel Bastardo (0-5) Save: none

Summary

RubberDucks right fielder Alexfri Planez homered while Akron built a 5-0 lead in the first four innings, and first baseman C.J. Kayfus hit his first career grand slam and Double-A homer in the eighth inning of a 9-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs in the second game of a six-game series at Hadlock Field Wednesday night.

The POWER of Planez!

Alexfri hammers his 4th Western Reserve Distillers 🍸 HOME RUN in the last 7 games & team-high 8th this season!

106 mph 🔥 401 feet

TOP 3 | Akron 3 | Portland 0 pic.twitter.com/jwuDZhsA12

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 5, 2024

Turning Point

In a scoreless game in the third inning against right-hander Angel Bastardo, left fielder Joe Lampe lined a first-pitch single to right field, and shortstop Yordys Valdés placed a bunt single to the third-base side. Center fielder Petey Halpin grounded into a fielder’s choice, and shortstop Eddinson Paulino’s errant throw scored Lampe. After a walk to Kayfus, he was caught stealing while Halpin reached third base. Planez then drilled a 401-foot home run to right-center field – his fourth home run in seven games – for a 3-0 lead.

Mound Presence

Right-hander Ross Carver made his first start of the season after 12 relief outings and worked three shutout innings, yielding one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. Left-hander Jaime Arias began the fourth inning and retired the first five batters he faced. He allowed a solo home run to center fielder Roman Anthony in the sixth and a double and walk before retiring the side, lasting 3 2/3 innings with four hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Right-hander Bradley Hanner entered with two outs in the seventh inning. After a walk, he retired seven straight batters to end the game.

Ross Carver's first start of 2024 was a solid one:

3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

END 3 | Akron 3 | Portland 0 pic.twitter.com/9flduUTL4a

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 5, 2024

Back with the Ducks, Jaime Arias delivered in relief:

3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K

END 7 | Akron 5 | Portland 1 pic.twitter.com/8GooqQQSH1

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 6, 2024

DUCKS WIN!@Bradleyhanner3 finishes with 2.1 hitless IP, 1 BB, 2 K - his 4th straight scoreless outing

FINAL | Akron 9 | Portland 1https://t.co/4MnhkOS8LZ pic.twitter.com/QmmjmvpK8L

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 6, 2024

Duck Tales

Akron added to its lead in the fourth, when designated hitter Milan Tolentino doubled, Lampe singled and stole second base, and Halpin lined a two-run single to right field for a 5-0 lead. That was Akron’s last hit until the eighth inning, when Tolentino walked, Lampe hit his team-high 11th double to right field, Halpin walked, and Kayfus launched a two-out, 0-2 pitch from right-hander Caleb Bolden to the pavilion above the right-field wall to make it 9-1.

With a 2-out, 2-run single @peteyhalpin extends the lead!

TOP 4 | Akron 5 | Portland 0 pic.twitter.com/aZnJKjS5bc

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) June 5, 2024

Notebook

Akron drew within a half game of Harrisburg (31-21, rained out Wednesday) in the Southwest Division first-half race, while Portland fell a half game behind Hartford in the Northeast Division…Every RubberDuck batter reached base on a hit or walk...Kayfus has seven RBIs in his first two Double-A games…Second baseman Nate Furman walked in the ninth inning to extend a 19-game on-base streak going back to his stint with High-A Lake County…Halpin extended a 17-game on-base streak…Game Time: 2:44 (0:24 delay)…Attendance: 4,251.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Portland at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Hadlock Field. Akron right-hander Aaron Davenport (4-1, 1.87 ERA) is scheduled to face Sea Dogs right-hander Hunter Dobbins (3-1, 4.08 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.