July 10: Ducks capitalize on Curve, grab first place with 3-2 win

July 10 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (34-24) 3, Altoona Curve (31-26) 2

WP: Skylar Arias (4-0) LP: Brad Case (2-1) S: Juan Móta (4)

Summary

The RubberDucks took advantage of two Altoona errors to score three runs without the help of a hit in two separate innings, and held on for a 3-2 comeback win and 3-2 series lead over the Curve, putting Akron in first place, a half game ahead of Bowie (33-24) and Erie (34-25) in the Southwest Division of the Double-A Northeast after Saturday night’s game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Turning Point

In a 2-2 tie in the top of the eighth inning, second baseman Richie Palacios and designated hitter Jonathan Engelmann drew consecutive walks against Altoona right-hander Brad Case. Right-hander Cristofer Melendez entered and threw a wild pitch, putting two runners in scoring position. But he retired the next two batters and got shortstop Daniel Schneemann to hit a grounder to first baseman Mason Martin, who dropped the ball, allowing Palacios to score an unearned run for a 3-2 Akron lead.

Mound Presence

In his first Double-A start of the season, left-hander Adam Scott allowed two infield singles and a walk to load the bases for Martin in the first inning. A ground-ball double play scored the Altoona run that stood as the lead until the sixth inning. Left-hander Jake Miednik pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and right-hander Manuel Alvarez followed for another 1 2/3 innings. With a 2-1 lead, Alvarez allowed a walk and single in the seventh inning, before left-hander Skylar Arias entered. A wild pitch tied the game, but Arias escaped the inning and then held the 3-2 lead through the eighth. Right-hander Juan Móta struck out the first two batters of the ninth inning and got a game-ending flyout with the tying run at second base.

Duck Tales

With a 1-0 deficit against left-handed reliever Nathan Kirby in the sixth inning, Palacios and Engelmann drew consecutive one-out walks. Case entered and walked catcher Mike Rivera, before inducing a ground ball by first baseman Ike Freeman. Curve second baseman Ji-Hwan Bae, after recording a putout, skipped a throw past first base, allowing two Akron runs – one earned – to score and give Akron a 2-1 lead.

Notebook

Akron was outhit, 10-4, but drew 10 walks (tying a season high)…The Curve lead the season series, 6-5, but Akron has outscored Altoona, 58-57. The teams have played five one-run games…Time of game: 3:41…Attendance: 6,462.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks conclude their six-game series in Altoona at 6 p.m. EDT Sunday. Akron LHP Logan Allen is scheduled for his Double-A debut against Curve RHP Steven Jennings, also making his Double-A debut. 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.