June 20: Akron falls 9-5 to Binghamton

RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (34-30) 9, Akron RubberDucks (35-31) 5

WP: Brandon Sproat (2-0) LP: Doug Nikhazy (0-1) Save: N/A

Summary

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies powered their way to 9-5 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Thursday night at Canal Park.

Turning Point

After a RubberDucks run at the bottom of the sixth pulled Akron within one, Binghamton looked to increase its lead in the seventh inning. With a runner on second and two outs, Rowdey Jordan launched a two-run home run to make it 7-4 Rumble Ponies.

Mound Presence

Doug Nikhazy got the start for Akron and ran into some early trouble allowing four runs in the top of the first. The Akron left-hander settled in after the rough start to retire the next nine in a row. After another run in the fifth, Nikhazy settled back in to finish his night after five innings allowing five runs while striking out five. Jack Leftwich allowed two runs over two innings while striking out two. Lenny Torres Jr. struck out three while allowing two runs over two innings pitched.

Duck Tales

Kahlil Watson got the offense going for Akron in the bottom of the first with a solo home run off the batter’s eye in center. The RubberDucks kept the offense going in the third as Petey Halpin worked a walk followed by a double by CJ Kayfus to put runners on second and third. Watson brought home Halpin on an RBI ground out. Kayfus scored a pitch later on a wild pitch to make it 4-3 Binghamton. After Binghamton scored in the fifth, Akron answered with an Alexfri Planez RBI single in the sixth to make it 5-4 Rumble Ponies. Akron was held in check until the ninth when Yordys Valdes lined a deep sac-fly to roght to score Milan Tolentino to make it 9-5 Binghamton.

Notebook

Watson hit his ninth home run of the season, which ties him with Planez for the team lead…Akron remains two games back of Harrisburg in the Eastern League Southwest division standings with three left to play in the first half…Game Time: 2:51…Attendance: 4,383.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks will continue their series at Canal Park against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Friday, June 21 at 7:05 p.m. Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams will make a rehab start for Akron against Binghamton righty Nolan McLean (0-3, 5.64 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for all RubberDucks home games, are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.