Baez Strong But 'Wolves Fall

The SeaWolves took a one-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday night at Canal Park, but could not hold on, falling to the Akron RubberDucks 4-3.
Erie took the lead in the top of the first inning against Akron starter Shao-Ching Chiang. Jacob Robson led off with a double and moved to third on a Will Maddox sacrifice bunt. Robson scored on a Blaise Salter groundout for a 1-0 lead.
The 'Wolves extended the lead in the second. A.J. Simcox doubled with one out and scored on a Sergio Alcántara base hit for a 2-0 lead.
Akron cut into the lead in the third against Erie starter Sandy Baez. With two outs, Joe Sever belted a solo home run to left to make it a 2-1 game.
The SeaWolves went back ahead by two runs in the fifth. Robson led off with a bunt single for his third of four hits on the night. He moved to third on a Maddox double and scored on a Salter groundout for a 3-1 advantage.
The Ducks again used the long ball in the last of the fifth to close the gap once again as Bobby Bradley belted a two-out, solo home run to make it 3-2.
Both teams had scoring opportunities late but the game remained 3-2 in favor of the 'Wolves heading into the bottom of the ninth.
John Schreiber, who retired the final batter of the eighth, came out to work the ninth inning. Willi Castro led off with a line drive single to center. Sever followed with an RBI double making, scoring Castro from first, tying the game 3-3. The 'Wolves then intentionally walked Bradley to set up a double play. Mark Mathias stepped up and laid down a bunt. On a throwing error by Schreiber, Sever scored the game winning run.
Akron reliever Luke Eubank (1-0) earned the win tossing 1.1 scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts.
Schreiber (0-3) took the loss allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits with a walk and no strikeouts in 0.1-plus innings.
Baez tossed a quality start but took the no-decision and is still in search of his first Double-A win. He allowed two runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts in a season-high 6.1 innings.
The SeaWolves will go for a series win against the Ducks on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Righty Spencer Turnbull (1-3, 4.80 ERA) takes the mound for Erie against RHP Jake Paulson (2-0, 2.92 ERA).