(Akron, OH) - The RubberDucks came quacking back on Friday night in the second game of their long weekend series against the Fightins, getting six innings from Sam Hentges (1-4), who won for the first time in six starts in a 7-0 shutout. Reading's offense was held down to a
(Akron, OH) - The RubberDucks came quacking back on Friday night in the second game of their long weekend series against the Fightins, getting six innings from Sam Hentges (1-4), who won for the first time in six starts in a 7-0 shutout. Reading's offense was held down to a season-low two hits, with none coming after the second inning as the team (13-11) looks to get to four games over .500 for the first time with two games to go before Monday's off day.
Adam Haseley ripped a two-out single in the first, and Darick Hall led off the second with a double to straightaway center. The first baseman was thrown out trying to stretch it into his first triple, with a quick relay coming from Daniel Johnson to shortstop Alexis Pantoja , who made the throw to third for the out.
R-Phils starter Tom Eshelman retired six of the first seven batters he faced before surrendering his first run. Designated hitter Logan Ice led off with Akron's second single, and Drew Stankiewicz reached safely on a fielder's choice. After a four-pitch walk to Ka'ai Tom , Pantoja poked a single through the right side for his third run batted in and a 1-0 lead. A short time later, Wilson Garcia slapped a single the other way to left to go up 2-0, his first of four straight singles in the ballgame.
Pantoja opened up the fifth with a base hit in Eshelman's (0-3) final inning. Another single from Garcia put two runners on, and a fielder's choice groundout from Connor Marabell plus a throwing error from second baseman Raul Rivas made it 3-0. The first call to the bullpen went to Garrett Cleavinger , who got the final out of the fifth and all three in order to send it to the seventh.
Bryan Mejia led off that inning with a strikeout, but reached on a wild pitch that set the tone for the rest of the evening. Akron sent all nine to the plate, coming away with four runs on just one hit, three walks, and an error. Leading 7-0, they put it out of reach, and Kyle Nelson and Luke Eubank tag teamed on three perfect innings of relief to preserve the shutout. RubberDucks pitchers retired the last 14 Fightins in order, holding them to a season-low two hits in their second shutout loss of the season.
America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2019 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at the Weidenhammer Ticket Office at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins, Instagram at @fightins, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.
