Fisher Cats shut out RubberDucks in series opener, 7-0

Summary
New Hampshire Fisher Cats right-hander Justin Dillon (4-2) held Akron hitless for five innings and pitched six scoreless innings, combining with two relievers on a three-hit shutout and 7-0 win over the Akron RubberDucks at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday night.

Turning Point
With a second-inning run, the Fisher Cats held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth inning. New Hampshire first baseman Nash Knight and right fielder Josh Palacios hit one-out singles on consecutive pitches by Akron left-hander Adam Scott (4-2). Catcher Riley Adams grounded into a fielder's choice. With two outs and runners at first and third base, Fisher Cats shortstop Kevin Smith hit a three-run home run to center field, extending his team's lead to 4-0.
Mound Presence
Scott pitched five innings, his shortest of nine Eastern League starts, and the Fisher Cats had baserunners every inning against him. He worked around four hits, two walks and a hit batter to strand six runners and allow only an unearned run through the first four innings. He allowed four runs - three earned - on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Left-hander David Speer pitched a perfect sixth, and right-hander Jake Paulson allowed three runs - one earned - in two innings. For the Fisher Cats, Dillon worked around two sixth-inning infield singles and had one walk and two strikeouts. Right-hander Vinny Nittoli pitched two perfect innings, and right-hander Dany Jimenez pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Duck Tales
RubberDucks designated hitter Oscar Gonzalez had his first Eastern League hit in four games on a sixth-inning leadoff infield chopper to third base, and third baseman Nolan Jones hit a two-out single to Smith, before Dillon escaped the inning. Jones walked in the ninth inning before right fielder Trenton Brooks doubled, but both were stranded.
Notebook
The RubberDucks pitching staff extended a season-long 22-inning scoreless streak before allowing the second-inning run…Brooks hit his 12th double since the All-Star break, the most in the Eastern League, and his 15th extra-base hit, tied for the league high in that span…The RubberDucks were shut out for the 11th time this season…New Hampshire has won three of four meetings this season…Time of game: 2:35…Attendance: 4,340.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their series in New Hampshire at 7:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday. Akron LHP Sam Hentges (1-10, 5.21) is scheduled to face Fisher Cats RHP Joey Murray (0-1, 5.14). 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. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.