April 27: RubberDucks win, 5-2, then lose, 4-3, in Binghamton
April 27 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Scores Game 1 Game 2 Akron RubberDucks (9-9) 5-3, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (8-9) 2-4 Game 1 WP: Randy Labaut (2-0) LP: Stephen Nogosek (0-1) Save: Cade Smith (6) Game 2 WP: Manny Alvarez (1-0) LP: Davis Sharpe (0-1) Save: None Summary Akron third
April 27 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Scores Game 1 Game 2
Akron RubberDucks (9-9) 5-3, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (8-9) 2-4
Game 1 WP: Randy Labaut (2-0) LP: Stephen Nogosek (0-1) Save: Cade Smith (6)
Game 2 WP: Manny Alvarez (1-0) LP: Davis Sharpe (0-1) Save: None
Summary
Akron third baseman Gabriel Rodríguez had two RBI singles, while center fielder Petey Halpin added a two-run home run, in a 5-2 RubberDucks win in Game 1, but Binghamton rallied for win on designated hitter Mateo Gil’s game-winning single in the eighth inning for a 4-3 Game 2 victory, splitting a doubleheader Thursday night at Mirabito Stadium.
Turning Point
In a 2-2 tie in Game 1, rehabbing Mets right-hander Stephen Nogosek walked first baseman Joe Naranjo to begin the sixth inning. Rodríguez grounded a go-ahead RBI double down the third-base line. Three batters later, Halpin hit a two-run home run to center field, making it 5-2. In Game 2, with a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth, pinch runner Rowdey Jordan advanced to third base on a flyout and scored on Gil’s single to center field off right-hander Davis Sharpe.
Mound Presence
In Game 1, left-hander Doug Nikhazy allowed a game-tying home run in the second inning to third baseman José Peroza and the go-ahead run after a walk, an error and a wild pitch. He stranded the bases loaded to end the inning and lasted three innings, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Left-hander Randy Labaut retired the first eight batters he faced before walking two. Right-hander Cade Smith retired Jordan when Halpin caught his fly ball at the center field wall to end the sixth inning. Smith then worked a perfect seventh inning for his sixth save. In Game 2, right-hander Jack Leftwich allowed two runs on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Right-hander Jordan Jones tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Mason Hickman pitched a scoreless sixth inning before allowing the game-tying run on catcher Matt O’Neill’s RBI double in the seventh.
Duck Tales
Akron scored first in Game 1 when Naranjo doubled to right field and Rodríguez hit an RBI single to center field in the second inning. With Akron trailing, 2-1 in the third inning, second baseman Angel Martínez singled, stole second base and scored on shortstop José Tena’s game-tying double. In Game 2, Akron trailed 2-0, before Rodríguez led off the fifth inning with a home run to left field off right-hander Junior Santos. Later in the inning, three straight singles by second baseman Aaron Bracho, designated hitter Seth Caddell and Halpin gave Akron two more runs and a 3-2 lead.
Did @Eldetejero crush that ball or did he crush that ball!? pic.twitter.com/iLVcUEM4tq
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 28, 2023
Notebook
Former RubberDuck Manny Alvarez (2021-22) earned the win in Game 2…Naranjo has hit safely in seven of his last eight games…Labaut has yet to allow an earned run in 13 2/3 innings (six appearances) this season…Smith has converted 14 straight save chances since Aug. 3, 2022…Game Times: 2:21 & 2:20…Attendance: 1,510.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their series in Binghamton at 1:05 p.m. Friday at Mirabito Stadium. Akron right-hander Ross Carver (0-0, 2.70 ERA) is scheduled to face New York Mets rehabbing right-hander Justin Verlander. 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.
MiLB podcast previews Futures Game, MLB Draft
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Podcast: New Erie identity, new ballparks, new Top 100
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
How clubs across Minor League Baseball are celebrating PLAY BALL Weekend
PLAY BALL Weekend is almost here, and Minor League clubs have put together an exciting calendar of events to celebrate MLB’s youth engagement initiative. Some clubs are hosting youth clinics or other events in their home ballparks while others are bringing the joy of baseball and softball into the local
Here are the weirdest plays and stats from MiLB in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Podcast features first-base promotions for Caglianone, Eldridge
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most