April 9: Bracho blast, Davenport start lead Ducks to 2-1 win in Richmond

April 9, 2024 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (3-1) 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels (1-3) 1

WP: Aaron Davenport (1-0) LP: Hayden Birdsong (0-1) Save: Andrew Walters (2)

Summary

Akron RubberDucks second baseman Aaron Bracho hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and right-hander Aaron Davenport struck out six batters in five scoreless innings in his Double-A debut to lead Akron to a 2-1 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the opener of a six-game series at The Diamond Tuesday night.

Turning Point

In the first inning against Richmond right-hander Hayden Birdsong, designated hitter Kahlil Watson lined a first-pitch single to right field. After a balk moved him to second base, Bracho crushed an 0-2 pitch from Birdsong to right field for his first home run of the season and a 2-0 Akron lead.

Aaron Bracho 🚀

102 mph 🔥 371 feet

TOP 1 | Akron 2 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/FxOstv1yel

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 9, 2024

Mound Presence

Davenport was superb in his RubberDucks debut, retiring the first six batters of the night, striking out the side around the only hit and walk against him in the third inning, and retiring the final seven batters he faced. Right-hander Jack Leftwich worked around two hits to fan four batters in two scoreless innings. Right-hander Andrew Walters worked around a single in the eighth. Despite allowing two doubles and a run in the ninth, he struck out Richmond right fielder Vaun Brown with the tying run at second base to close the win.

That is RubberDuck strikeout #🔟

4th for @Jacklefty21, as he strikes out the side

END 7 | Akron 2 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/b778iarINI

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 10, 2024

Throwing 🔥 for the game-ending K & save @AndrewWalters07

FINAL | Akron 2 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/GhsEHBkRLR

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 10, 2024

Duck Tales

After the first inning, Akron was held to one hit, two walks and a hit batter on offense. Center fielder Chase DeLauter made a sliding catch on a Will Wilson line drive in the fourth inning, giving Davenport one of his four one-two-three innings.

Notebook

Akron has won three straight games for the first time since Aug. 1-3, 2023, against Somerset at Canal Park…The RubberDucks pitching staff pitched 18 straight scoreless innings before Richmond scored in the ninth inning Tuesday…RubberDucks pitchers had 13 strikeouts, matching their season high…Game Time: 2:14…Attendance: 9,810.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their series in Richmond at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at The Diamond. Akron left-hander Ryan Webb is scheduled to make his season debut, facing Flying Squirrels left-hander John Michael Bertrand (0-0, 5.40 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.