SummaryThe Akron RubberDucks rallied from a 6-0 deficit to come within one run but ultimately lost, 7-6, to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in the third game of a four-game series at NYSEG Stadium Saturday night.
Summary
The Akron RubberDucks rallied from a 6-0 deficit to come within one run but ultimately lost, 7-6, to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in the third game of a four-game series at NYSEG Stadium Saturday night.
Turning Point
Entering the sixth inning, the RubberDucks trailed 6-0 against Binghamton All-Star right-hander Harol Gonzalez (4-3). With one out, left fielder Mitch Longo singled, center fielder Alex Call walked, right fielder Trenton Brooks hit an RBI single, and first baseman Nellie Rodríguez hit a two-run double down the third-base line to cut the deficit to 6-3. Third baseman Alexis Pantoja singled to chase Gonzalez and bring the tying run to the plate. Left-hander Blake Taylor entered and struck out second baseman Connor Smith , but catcher Logan Ice hit a two-run double and was the tying run in scoring position, before Taylor struck out designated hitter Jose Medina . The five-run inning made it 6-5, but the Rumble Ponies kept Akron from pulling even in the final three innings for a 7-6 win.
Mound Presence
In his second Double-A appearance and first start, Akron left-hander Eli Lingos (0-1) allowed four first-inning runs, capped by shortstop Andrés Giménez hitting a three-run home run. He also allowed consecutive third-inning doubles and right fielder Braxton Lee's solo home run in the fourth inning to make it 6-0. He lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and one walk with four strikeouts. Left-hander David Speer pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing the final Binghamton run in the seventh inning after a two-out walk and consecutive singles, including first baseman David Thompson's fourth hit and third RBI of the game. Left-hander Anthony Gose pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Duck Tales
Akron trailed, 7-5, entering the eighth inning, when Rodriguez pounded his second home run in as many games (fourth in eight games and 10th this season) to left field off Taylor, making it 7-6. In the ninth inning, Medina and Longo walked against right-hander Matt Blackham, who struck out Call and got Brooks to line out to end the game.
Notebook
Shortstop Ernie Clement extended a nine-game hitting streak and 11-game stretch without a strikeout (Akron's longest this season)…Brooks has 10 hits in a seven-game hitting streak with seven RBI…Longo has 11 hits in a six-game hitting streak, including four multi-hit games…Time of game: 2:37…Attendance: 2,578.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks conclude their series in Binghamton at 2:05 p.m. Sunday, the last game before the Eastern League All-Star break. Akron RHP Jake Paulson (6-5, 3.96) is scheduled to start. The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeartRadio channel, and the TuneIn Radio App, and available on MiLB.TV.
