SeaWolves Down Ducks, Win Third Straight

The SeaWolves took down the Akron RubberDucks on Tuesday night by a 5-3 final at UPMC Park. It was the third straight victory for Erie.
Erie jumped ahead in the bottom of the second inning against Danny Salazar when Josh Lester led off and crushed a solo home run to right for a 1-0 lead. Salazar, on an MLB rehab assignment, went three innings, allowing a run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in a no-decision effort.
Akron tied the game in the top of the third against Erie starter Matt Manning. Alexis Pantoja singled with one out and Logan Ice walked. With two outs, Nolan Jones reached on an infield single, plating Pantoja to make it a 1-1 game.
Akron took the lead in the top of the fifth. Pantoja led off with a single and moved into scoring position on an Ernie Clement one-out knock. Trenton Brooks singled home Pantoja with two outs for a 2-1 Ducks lead. Manning would then walk Connor Marabell, loading the bases with two outs but he got out of the jam, retiring Andruw Monasterio on a fly out.
The SeaWolves quickly regained the lead in the home half of the fifth against reliever Anderson Polanco. Derek Hill led off and laid down a bunt. He beat it out for a base hit and ended up on third after a pair of throwing errors. Isaac Paredes followed with his second walk of the game, putting runners on the corners. Jose Azocar lifted a fly ball to right, scoring Hill to tie the game. Frank Schwindel and Daniel Pinero each singled to load the bases for Cam Gibson. Gibson singled home Paredes for a 3-2 lead. Lester then drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Schwindel for a 4-2 Erie edge.
Akron got one back in the seventh against reliever Jose Fernandez. Fernandez, who entered in the sixth, retired five straight before giving up a two-out, solo home run to Jones, closing the gap to a run.
Erie added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Yapson Gomez. With two outs, Chase Numata singled and Hill walked. Paredes singled home Numata for a 5-3 lead.
Drew Carlton recorded the final five outs of the game, earning his ninth save in as many chances.
Manning (7-4) earned the win in his first start since July 2. He allowed two runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in five innings.
Polanco (0-1) took the loss allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and a strikeout in 1.1 innings.
The SeaWolves and RubberDucks wrap up the series on Wednesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 - Gates open at 11 p.m. | First pitch at 12:05 p.m.
Summer Camp Dap: The SeaWolves welcome guests from area day camps, senior centers, and businesses for this special noon start.
AAA Member Wednesday: AAA members can present their card to save $2 off any regularly priced ticket to this game.
Senior Expo: The UPMC for Life Senior Expo features displays about health, wellness and senior services.