Akron Scored Two in 9th for Win vs Yard Goats

Final: Akron RubberDucks 4, Hartford Yard Goats 3

WP: Bradley Hanner (5-2)

LP: Michael Peterson (0-1)

S: (No Save)

Akron, OH- A changed umpires' call highlighted a controversial ending and enabled the Akron RubberDucks to beat the Hartford Yard Goats, 4-3, Friday night. After home plate umpire and crew chief Tyler Wittie initially ruled that Gabriel Rodriguez had foul-tipped a pitch, with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, he conferred with umpires Ethan Gorsak and Austin Snow and ruled Rodriguez had been hit by the pitch thrown by Michael Peterson, resulting in the winning run to score. The decision to reverse the call led to the ejection of Hartford manager Chris Denorfia, even though the game had ended.

Hartford took a 3-2 lead to the bottom of the ninth, but a walk and a dropped fly ball enabled the first two Akron batters to reach base. After a one-out single by Johnathan Rodriguez loaded the bases, Joe Naranjo's sacrifice fly tied the game. With first base open, Korey Holland was intentionally walked, setting the stage for the controversial finish.

The Yard Goats took a 1-0. lead in the third inning on Braxton Fulford's first AA home run, a blast over the wall in left-center. After the RubberDucks tied it in the last of third on a double by Jose Tena and an RBI-single by Bryan Lavastida, Hartford regained the lead with two runs in the fifth off of starter Tanner Burns. The Yard Goats loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, before an RBI-single by Colin Simpson snapped the tie. A passed ball in the inning led to the Yard Goats third run of the game, but Akron's bullpen did not allow another hit over the remaining four innings.

Hartford starter Andrew Quezada turned in one of his strongest outings of the season, allowing one run on seven hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out six. Relievers Jacob Kostyshock and Evan Justice each tossed a scoreless frame, before Stephen Jones yielded an eighth inning run. Fulford led the Hartford attack with a home run and single.

The Yard Goats continue their two-city, 12-game road trip Saturday night at 7:05, when they play the fifth game in a six-game series. The game can be heard on AM 1410 WPOP, FM 100.9 and the iheart radio app. The Yard Goats return home to Dunkin' Park on Tuesday, June 6th (7:10 PM), hosting the New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots in a six-game series.