May 18: Ducks' hit parade backs Nikhazy for 10-2 win in Richmond

May 18, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (18-17) 10, Richmond Flying Squirrels (18-17) 2

WP: Doug Nikhazy (1-0) LP: Spencer Bivens (0-2) Save: none

Summary

Akron left-hander Doug Nikhazy struck out a season-high nine batters in a season-long five innings for his first Double-A win, while second baseman Angel Martínez had a season-high four RBIs, with a two-run double in each of the RubberDucks’ two four-run innings to roll to a 10-2 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the third game of a six-game series at The Diamond Thursday night.

Turning Point

In a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning, RubberDucks first baseman Aaron Bracho, third baseman Gabriel Rodríguez, and catcher Michael Berglund hit consecutive singles against right-hander Spencer Bivens to score a run. Left fielder Julian Escobedo hit an RBI double to right field, and two batters later, Martínez lined a two-out, two-run double along the left-field line, capping the four-run inning to give Akron a 5-1 lead.

Our first lead comes on a @mikeberg_08 RBI single

TOP 4 | Akron 2 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/z62ctCRZ3X

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 18, 2023

A double to double the lead, courtesy of @JulianEsco1_

TOP 4 | Akron 3 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/Wv9TxTg1Zl

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 18, 2023

Can you place a ball more perfectly, Angel Martínez?

TOP 4 | Akron 5 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/82ih7Luf4l

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 19, 2023

Mound Presence

Nikhazy allowed an unearned run on a hit, two walks and an error but got the final two outs of the inning to strand the bases loaded. He worked around two walks in the second inning and then retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced, including striking out four straight batters. Nikhazy completed five innings with three hits and four walks – but none after the first time through the order. Right-hander Davis Sharpe pitched the next three innings, only allowing an eighth-inning run on two hits with two strikeouts. Right-hander Trey Benton pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Duck Tales

Akron took advantage of three walks to tie the game, 1-1, in the second inning against right-hander Ryan Murphy. The RubberDucks had another four-run inning in the sixth, when Rodríguez and Berglund hit consecutive singles against right-hander Parker Dunshee. Center fielder Petey Halpin singled to load the bases, and Martínez hit a two-run double to left-center field, before shortstop José Tena added a two-run single to make it 9-1. Halpin added a ninth-inning sacrifice fly.

We understand if it feels like déjà vu

Angel Martínez hits another 2-run double

He has 2⃣ doubles 4⃣ RBI

TOP 6 | Akron 7 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/XjLbsPppnB

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 19, 2023

José Tena's 2-run single caps a 4-run 6th inning

TOP 6 | Akron 9 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/UicQ2wJegU

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) May 19, 2023

Notebook

Martínez is the first RubberDuck with 20 RBIs this season…The 10 runs were the second-most by Akron this season (12 on May 9 in Altoona), and the eight-run margin was its largest of the year…Akron has at least 10 hits in six of the nine games on the current road trip and is hitting .288 with 5.33 runs per game…The RubberDucks tied Richmond and pulled within a half-game of first-place Erie (19-17) in the Southwest Division…Game Time: 2:54…Attendance: 4,919.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 12:05 p.m. Friday at The Diamond. Akron right-hander Hunter Stanley (0-3, 4.44 ERA) is scheduled to face Flying Squirrels right-hander Landen Roupp (0-0, 2.25 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.