Sens Take Air out of Rubber Ducks with 11-3 Win

The Harrisburg Senators knocked off the Akron RubberDucks 11-3 Friday night at FNB Field. The Senators used a six-run eighth inning to break away and gain a game on the first-place 'Ducks.

Raudy Read drove in a run in the first on a fielder's choice to start the scoring. 
The Senators added three more in the third. With two runners on, Read hit a fly ball to center field that was dropped by Ka-ai Tom and two runs scored. It was officially a sacrifice fly for Read, while an additional run scored on the error by Tom which also allowed Read to reach second. One batter later, Noll knocked an RBI single to put the Senators ahead 4-3.
Senators starting pitcher Sterling Sharp worked five shutout innings before Akron scored three in the sixth on a run-scoring groundball to second that was mishandled by Senators second baseman Dan Gamache, a wild pitch, and a walk. Bryan Harper kept the lead at one by inducing an inning ending double play.
The Senators added a run in the bottom of the frame when Read walked with the bases loaded which forced in a run.
The Senators blew the game open with six runs in a 12-batter eighth. Two runs scored on a two-RBI double to left by Read and three scored on three bases loaded walks as the Senators took an 11-3 advantage.
Sharp (5-2) allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits in five and a third innings. Akron starter Aaron Civale (5-7) took the loss after surrendering four runs, three earned, in four and a third. 
Read led the Senators with five-RBI while Carter Kieboom paced the club with three hits and three runs scored. 
"Our at-bats got better as the game went along. We grinded and made their pitchers," Senators manager Matt LeCroy said. "This is fun. As a manager in Minor League Baseball you want to play for something in August. That daily grind means a little bit more when you're in it than when you're out of it. Hopefully we'll continue to get on a good streak and get going."
The Senators and RubberDucks play game two of their three-game series Saturday night. Logan Darnell takes the hill for the Senators against Akron starter Triston McKenzie. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at FNB Field. The game can be heard on CBS Sports Harrisburg 96.5 & 95.3 FM and 1400 AM or at www.cbssportsharrisburg.com beginning at 5:45 p.m.