April 14: Bracho homers twice, Ducks beat Baysox, 7-5
April 14, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (4-3) 7, Bowie Baysox (3-4) 5 WP: Bradley Hanner (1-1) LP: Kyle Bradish (0-1) Save: Cade Smith (3) Summary RubberDucks second baseman Aaron Bracho had his first career two-homer game and tied a career high with five RBIs, leading
April 14, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score
Akron RubberDucks (4-3) 7, Bowie Baysox (3-4) 5
WP: Bradley Hanner (1-1) LP: Kyle Bradish (0-1) Save: Cade Smith (3)
Summary
RubberDucks second baseman Aaron Bracho had his first career two-homer game and tied a career high with five RBIs, leading Akron to a 7-5 road victory and second straight win over the Bowie Baysox in the fourth game of a six-game series at Prince George’s Stadium Friday night.
Turning Point
The RubberDucks trailed, 2-0, and had only one hit entering the top of the fourth inning against rehabbing Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. Center fielder Julian Escobedo extended a four-game hitting streak with a leadoff single to center field. Catcher Bryan Lavastida grounded to shortstop, but a dropped throw at second base allowed Escobedo to reach third base. After a one-out walk to third baseman Gabriel Rodríguez loaded the bases, Bradish threw a wild pitch to score a run, and Bracho drilled a three-run home run to right field for a 4-2 Akron lead.
An Aaron Bracho big fly gives us the lead!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 15, 2023
TOP 4 | Akron 4 | Bowie 2 pic.twitter.com/Km4txmcHUB
Mound Presence
Akron right-hander Ross Carver fell behind in the first inning, allowing a one-out solo home run to Baysox right fielder Heston Kjerstad. Carver also walked designated hitter Donta’ Williams and allowed a two-out RBI double by left fielder John Rhodes. After the first inning, Carver allowed only one more hit, completing four innings with three hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Right-hander Bradley Hanner followed with two scoreless innings. Right-hander Mason Hickman pitched two innings, allowing three runs in the eighth inning on a home run by center fielder Zach Watson and two-run double by Rhodes. Right-hander Cade Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning around a walk, earning his third save.
Duck Tales
The RubberDucks grew the lead in the sixth inning against right-hander Houston Roth. Rodríguez hit a two-out triple to center field, and Bracho pounded his second straight home run to right field to make it 6-2. Designated hitter Michael Berglund led off the seventh inning with a homer to right field for his first hit of the season and a 7-2 lead.
Bracho blastoff in Bowie - Part 2!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 15, 2023
A 2-run shot in the 6th extends the lead
TOP 6 | Akron 6 | Bowie 2
First career multi-homer game for Aaron Bracho, who ties career high with 5 RBI pic.twitter.com/YWukzi3rwd
Michael Berglund joining the home run party!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 15, 2023
(A sweet first hit as a Duck)
TOP 7 | Akron 7 | Bowie 2 pic.twitter.com/Cciei98CdV
Notebook
Bracho had his first multi-homer game in the 192nd game of his career, which began in 2019…In the four games in Bowie, Escobedo is 9-for-14 with seven runs, four doubles and two home runs…Smith has converted 11 consecutive save chances for Akron since his first Double-A save in Altoona Aug. 3, 2022…Game Time: 2:36…Attendance: 3,885.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their series in Bowie at 6:35 p.m. Saturday at Prince George’s Stadium. Akron right-hander Hunter Stanley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to face Baysox left-hander Cade Povich (0-0, 6.00 ERA). The game broadcast is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on Bally Live. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.