RubberDucks rally falls short in Erie, 6-4

RubberDucks Game Recap:

Erie SeaWolves (6-3) 6, Akron RubberDucks (6-2) 4

WP: A.J. Ladwig (1-1) LP: Tanner Tully (1-1) S: Gerson Moreno (1)

Summary

After falling behind 6-0, the Akron RubberDucks got scoreless relief by their bullpen, plus an RBI double by Alex Call and three-run home run by Trenton Brooks to come within 6-4, before falling for a second straight night to the Erie SeaWolves in the third game of a six-game series at UPMC Park Wednesday night.

Turning Point

Erie posted a first-inning run for a second straight night and then added to the lead in the third inning. Left-hander Tanner Tully walked SeaWolves shortstop Ryan Kreidler and allowed a one-out two-run home run to third baseman Drew Ward. Two batters later, left fielder Kerry Carpenter added a solo home run for a three-run inning. Then the leadoff batter in the fourth, second baseman John Valente, also homered, giving the SeaWolves three homers and a 5-0 lead.

Mound Presence

Tully had his shortest career start (3 1/3 innings) and matched a career high by allowing three home runs. He allowed six runs – five earned – on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout. Left-hander Francisco Pérez relieved him in the fourth inning and allowed an inherited runner to score but did not yield a hit or another run over 3 1/3 innings. Right-hander Dakody Clemmer followed with 1 1/3 innings, recording all four outs via strikeouts.

Duck Tales

After right-hander A.J. Ladwig pitched five scoreless innings against the RubberDucks, Akron broke through against left-hander Max Green in the sixth. Third baseman Jose Fermín had an infield single, shortstop Tyler Freeman hit into a fielder’s choice, and second baseman Richie Palacios singled to right field, before Call battled Green to hit a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line for an RBI double, snapping a stretch of 20 scoreless innings by Erie pitchers in the series. Brooks followed with a three-run home run to right field to make it 6-4. Akron loaded the bases with two outs before ending the 10-batter inning and also had the tying runs in scoring position in the eighth inning and did not score.

Notebook

Brooks has two home runs and six RBI in the series…Freeman has reached base in all seven games he has played…Akron relievers have not been charged with a run in the last 22 1/3 innings…RubberDucks pitchers have at least 10 strikeouts in seven straight games and 88 strikeouts through eight games…Time of game: 3:13…Attendance: 1,254.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Erie at 6:05 p.m. EDT Friday. Akron RHP Alex Royalty (0-0, 2.25) is scheduled to face SeaWolves RHP Ricardo Pinto (0-1, 7.36). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.