Akron's Frazier keys triple play, offense

Clint Frazier had never seen a triple play before in person, let alone been a part of one until Tuesday.

And while the degree of difficulty of this particular feat might not have been high, the magnitude was substantial as Double-A Akron turned a triple play in the seventh inning to help stave off Altoona, 7-6, at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The RubberDucks remained undefeated on the season with a 5-0 record.

"It was my first time turning one and the first time witnessing one in person," said Frazier, who initiated the play. "It was really cool to just be a part of it."

Altoona had cut Akron's lead to one when RubberDucks manager Dave Wallace summoned J.P. Feyereisen out of the bullpen. After missing with his first pitch to Jonathan Schwind -- who had collected a two-run triple the previous inning -- the right-hander got Schwind to line out to Frazier in right field. The Curve tried to executed a hit-and-run with runners on first and second, but the Indians' No. 2 prospect relayed to shortstop Eric Stamets who threw over to first baseman Joe Sever to end the threat.

"It was actually a really easy play," Frazier said of Akron's first such feat since Aug. 23, 2014 at Binghamton. "[Feyereisen] was pumped. He came in and got his job done, whether it's a fluke play or not. We were stoked, and obviously, it was a big momentum changer."

After Feyereisen pitched a scoreless eighth, righty Ben Heller shut the door with a perfect ninth for his second save.

Frazier also came through in the clutch at the plate. The fifth overall selection in the 2013 Draft only had one hit in six at-bats, but made it count with a bases-clearing double to center in the fourth.

"After I worked the count back even to 2-2, [Altoona starter David Whitehead] came back with a curve and I was just able to put a good swing on it and give us some more runs," he said.

Frazier has hit in all five games to start the season. On Monday night, he blasted his first Double-A homer.

"I've just kind of been sticking with my approach, not going up there trying to prove myself to everyone," he said. "I just trust the work I did in the offseason."

The 21-year-old Loganville, Georgia native led the Carolina League in hits (143), doubles (36) and total bases (233) last season while ranking second in runs (88) and third in RBIs (72). A player known for finding a comfort zone in his own way, Frazier has been getting his groove from his headphones.

"Right now, I've just kind of listening to the same songs. Some Mike Stud, Florida Georgia Line and Drake," Frazier said. "I know it has nothing to do with what I actually do on the field, but it helps me to get locked in."

Jeremy Lucas collected three hits and two RBIs for the RubberDucks.