July 15: Naylor, Schneemann go deep, Ducks win in Harrisburg, 10-6

July 15 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (37-24) 10, Harrisburg Senators (22-40) 6

WP: Ben Krauth (1-0) LP: Malvin Pena (0-1) S: None

Summary

RubberDucks catcher Bo Naylor homered for a third straight Double-A Northeast game, center fielder Richie Palacios doubled twice and drove in three runs for a second straight game, and shortstop Daniel Schneemann hit a two-run home run in first-place Akron’s fifth straight win – a 10-6 Thursday night victory over the Harrisburg Senators at FNB Field.

Turning Point

After the Senators scored four times in the fifth inning for a 6-5 advantage – their first lead of the series – the RubberDucks rallied for a five-run sixth inning. Right-hander Malvin Pena walked right fielder Will Benson, who beat a throw to second base on third baseman Andruw Monasterio’s ground ball to shortstop. Palacios then hit a two-run double to right-center field for a 7-6 Akron lead and went to third base on the relay throw. Left fielder Chris Roller hit a sacrifice fly to make it 8-6. First baseman Jonathan Engelmann drew a two-out walk, and Schneemann hit a two-run home run to right field for a 10-6 lead.

Mound Presence

With a 3-0 lead in the first inning, left-hander Juan Hillman allowed a pair of Senators runs but stranded the tying run in at second base each of the first three innings. With a 5-2 edge in the fifth inning, he allowed two-run homers by catcher KJ Harrison and shortstop Gilbert Lara, giving Harrisburg a 6-5 lead. Left-hander Ben Krauth entered for his 2021 Akron debut and retired the first four batters he faced, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts. Right-handers Manuel Alvarez and Juan Móta each pitched perfect innings to finish the win.

Duck Tales

Akron scored three runs in the first inning against right-hander Andrew Lee. Monasterio tripled, and Palacios hit an RBI double – a hit in his seventh straight at bat. Two batters later, Naylor hit a two-run home run to right field. Akron also scored twice in the fifth inning, with Schneemann’s RBI single and Harrison’s throwing error to first base.

Notebook

At 37-24, Akron is in first place by 1.5 games over Erie (36-26, postponed by rain) in the Double-A Northeast Southwest Division…Palacios has four doubles in the last two games and a team-high 22 this season (tied for second in the league)…Monasterio now has 11 hits and has scored 10 runs on the road trip…Time of game: 3:09…Attendance: 2,684.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Harrisburg at 7 p.m. EDT Friday. Akron LHP Adam Scott (0-0, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to face Senators RHP Luis Reyes (5-5, 4.87 ERA). 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.