RubberDucks Game RecapCurve 8 RubberDucks 5WP: Blake Weiman (1-0) LP: Argenis Angulo (0-1) Save: Matt Eckelman (1)SummaryAltoona's Cole Tucker hit a game-tying grand slam, and Logan Hill drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice, as the Curve claimed a come-from-behind 8-5 win over the Akron RubberDucks in Game
RubberDucks Game Recap
Curve 8 RubberDucks 5
WP: Blake Weiman (1-0) LP: Argenis Angulo (0-1) Save: Matt Eckelman (1)
Summary
Altoona's Cole Tucker hit a game-tying grand slam, and Logan Hill drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice, as the Curve claimed a come-from-behind 8-5 win over the Akron RubberDucks in Game 3 of the EL Western Division Series Friday night in Altoona, Pa.
Turning Point
The Curve (1-2) roared back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game, 5-5, in the fifth inning. Akron starter Zach Plesac faltered, allowing a single to Jin-De Jhang and then hitting Logan Hill. Plesac was replaced by Nick Sandlin with one out, but Sandlin gave up an RBI single to Arden Pabst to make it 5-1, and then walked Stefan Alemais to load the bases. Lefty R.C. orlan was summoned to face Tucker and got the Curve lead-off man into an 0-2 count, but Tucker then ripped a grand slam to left to tie the game. It was Tucker's second home run of the series.
Mound Presence
Argenis Angulo (0-1) took over for the RubberDucks (2-1) in the sixth and threw scoreless ball until running into trouble in the eighth. After giving up a hit and two intentional walks to EL RBI champ Will Craig and Jhang, Nick Pasquale came out of the pen to face Hill. Hill smacked a high chopper back to the mound, but Pasquale's throw home was too late to get Ke'Bryan Hayes at the plate, and Altoona led 6-5. Jordan George then followed with the dagger-a two run single to left-center to extend the Curve lead to 8-5. All three runs were charged to Angulo.
Duck Tales
The Ducks jumped on Altoona starter James Marvel early, scoring five times in the first inning. Andrew Calica stroked a three-run double to get the scoring started. Jodd Carter followed with an RBI single and Mark Mathias chipped in a run-scoring triple to put the Ducks up 5-0. Afer that, the Ducks could do no damage to Marvel, who lasted through five innings. Relief help came from Tate Scioneaux, Blake Weiman (1-0), and Matt Eckelman. The Ducks picked up two singles in the ninth, but Eckelman got a line-drive double play off the bat of Ernie Clement to end the game and pick up his first save of the post-season.
Notebook
The Ducks still lead the best-of-five series, 2-1, and can wrap up the series with a win on Saturday…Indians 3b Josh Donaldson was 0-4 in his second rehab appearance with the Ducks…Time of game: 2:42…Attendance: 3,385.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks and Curve will continue the best-of-5 ELDS with Game 4 on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 at PNG Field in Altoona. The game will be broadcast on WHOF 99.7 Canton's New Country, the WHOF 99.7 iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.
