Akron Walks Off Erie in Finale

The SeaWolves (9-5) lost via walk-off for the first time this season as Akron (7-8) defeated Erie 2-1.

Akron was first to the scoreboard in the seventh inning against Erie reliever Angel Reyes. Reyes walked the leadoff batter, Joe Naranjo. Christian Cairo then had a bunt single. Both runners advanced on Yordys Valdez’s sacrifice bunt. Micael Ramirez then drove home Naranjo with a sacrifice fly.

The SeaWolves came back to tie the game in the eighth inning. After Tyler Thornton walked two batters, Andrew Walters took over on the mound with two out. He surrendered an RBI single to Eliezer Alfonzo to tie the game at 1-1.

In the ninth inning, Akron mounted a winning rally against RJ Petit. A pair of singles set the table with one out. Valdez then hit a ground ball to Jake Holton at first. Holton threw to second for the force out, but Erie could not turn the double play. On the relay to first, Alexfri Planez was caught turning widely around third. On the relay to third from a covering Petit, Planez came home to score the winning run.

Petit (0-1) was charged with the loss. Walters (2-0) got the win. Erie won the series, taking four of six.

Erie opens a series with Harrisburg on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. Lael Lockhart faces Michael Cuevas.