May 11: Akron rally falls short as Erie wins 11-8

RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Piñatas de Erie (16-13) 11, Los Perros Calientes de Akron (15-14) 8

WP: Garrett Hill (2-0) LP: Jaime Arias (0-1) Save: Brendan White (2)

Summary

The RubberDucks and SeaWolves donned their Copa de la Diversion identities on Wednesday night at Canal Park as Piñatas de Erie use a big fifth inning to defeat Los Perros Calientes de Akron 11-8.

Turning Point

Already holding a 2-1 lead, Erie entered the top of the fifth looking for more. After the first four batters reached to extend the lead, Kerry Carpenter launched a grand slam to make it 7-1 Erie. In total, nine-straight batters would reach to start the inning and nine runs scored to make it 11-1 Piñatas.

Mound Presence

Jaime Arias got the start for Akron and retired the first two batters he faced quickly before running into trouble allowing four straight batters to reach and two runs to score. Arias looked settled in not allowing a run over the next three innings but ran into trouble once again in the fifth allowing five runs in the inning. Overall, Arias tossed four innings allowing seven runs while striking out three. Nick Gallagher tossed an inning allowing four runs. Luis Oviedo followed with two scoreless innings. Kevin Coulter tossed two scoreless innings.

Duck Tales

Los Perros Calientes got on the scoreboard in the third when Jose Tena launched a solo home run just to the left of the pitch clock in center field to make it 2-1 Erie. Will Brennan launched a three-run home run in the sixth inning to make it 11-4 Erie. Los Perros Calientes drew even closer in the bottom of the seventh. Micah Pries launched the first pitch of the inning into the bullpen to bring Akron to closer at 11-5 Erie. After a double by Victor Nova, Julian Escobedo tripled home Nova before scoring on a George Valera single to make it 11-7 Erie. Valera scored on a Brennan double, but that is as close as Akron would make it.

Notebook

The loss snapped Akron’s four game winning streak…Escobedo extended his team-long on-base streak to eight games with a single in the first inning…Both of Tena’s home runs have come in May at Canal Park…Brennan’s home run tied him with Rocchio for the team lead with three…Game Time: 2:37…Attendance: 3,004.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks will continue their series with the Erie SeaWolves on Thursday, May 12 at 6:35 p.m. Left-hander Joey Cantillo (2-2, 3.15 ERA) will start for the RubberDucks against Erie right-hander Austin Bergner (0-1, 3.38 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 all RubberDucks home games, are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.