'Ducks use six-run 7th to rally to 12-8 win in Game 1
RubberDucks 12 Curve 8
WP: Grant Sides (1-0) LP: Miguel Rosario (0-1) SV: none
Summary
Akron's Eric Haase slugged a key, two-run double during a furious, six-run, seventh-inning rally Wednesday night, as the RubberDucks came from behind to stun the Altoona Curve, 12-8, and take a one-game-to-none lead in the EL Western Division Series at People's Natural Gas Field.
Turning Point
Altoona had built a 7-3 lead through six innings, but the RubberDucks (77-64, 1-0) roared to life against a trio of Curve pitchers in the top of the seventh inning. Ivan Castillo led off with a double and came home when Greg Allen tripled to center field. Eric Stamets followed with his fourth hit of the night, an RBI single to center that chased starter Alex McRae and pulled the Ducks to within 7-5. Lefty Josh Smith entered the game and walkedJordan Smith, and immediately gave way to right-hander Miguel Rosario. Nellie Rodriguez greeted Rosario (0-1) with a RBI single to left to make it a one-run game. After a strikeout of Mike Papi for the first out, Haasedelivered a shot to the gap in left, scoring Smith and Rodriguez to give the Ducks an 8-7 lead. Mark Mathias capped the scoring with a sharp single to right to drive in Haase and make it 9-7, Akron.
Winging It
Grant Sides (1-0) earned the win in relief for the RubberDucks. He worked 1.1 innings and allowed one run. Cole Sulser picked up a hold with 1.2 innings of scoreless pitching, including stranding a pair of runners on base in the seventh. Louis Head came in and finished off the Curve (76-64, 0-1) in the ninth. Right-hander Julian Merryweather started and allowed seven earned runs over five innings, but emerged with a no-decision after the big comeback.
Duck Tales
Akron's 18-hit attack featured six extra-base hits. Stamets socked a solo homer in the first inning and finished 4-5, with two RBI, on the night. Papi was 3-5, with an RBI single in the third inning and a timely, two-run home run in the eighth when Akron extended the lead to 12-8. Smith was 3-4, with an RBI double and a stolen base.
Notebook
Akron leads the best-of-five series, 1-0…The Curve scored three times in the first inning against Merryweather, and added to the lead in the second and third…Anderson Feliz homered twice for Altoona…Time of game: 3:14…Attendance: 2,291.
On Deck
The RubberDucks and Curve will play Game 2 of the series Thursday at 6:00 p.m.. RHP Michael Peoples is expected to start for the RubberDucks and RHP Clay Holmes is the announced starter for the Curve. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.