Sept. 10: Brito homers, Ducks pitch 1-0 shutout in Richmond
September 10, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (28-35, 63-69) 1, Richmond Flying Squirrels (37-26, 70-62) 0 WP: Will Dion (3-4) LP: Ben Madison (2-2) Save: Franco Aleman (7) Summary Akron pitchers Jack Leftwich, Will Dion, and Franco Aleman combined for a two-hit shutout, and RubberDucks third
September 10, 2023 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score
Akron RubberDucks (28-35, 63-69) 1, Richmond Flying Squirrels (37-26, 70-62) 0
WP: Will Dion (3-4) LP: Ben Madison (2-2) Save: Franco Aleman (7)
Summary
Akron pitchers Jack Leftwich, Will Dion, and Franco Aleman combined for a two-hit shutout, and RubberDucks third baseman Juan Brito homered in the ninth inning for a 1-0 win, snapping a seven-game winning streak by the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the finale of a six-game series at The Diamond Sunday afternoon.
Turning Point
Each team was scoreless with only two hits entering the ninth inning. With one out, Brito drilled the first pitch from right-hander Ben Madison 359 feet over the right-field wall, just beyond the reach of right fielder Victor Bericoto. It was Brito’s 10th home run as a RubberDuck and first in two weeks.
Mound Presence
Leftwich began the game by hitting Richmond center fielder Ismael Munguia with his first pitch and then walked Bericoto and left fielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to load the bases with no outs in the first inning. Third baseman Sean Roby then hit a fly ball down the right-field line, where right fielder Petey Halpin caught it and threw on a hop to catcher Joe Donovan to retire Munguia as he tried to score. Leftwich struck out first baseman Brady Whalen to end the inning, and Richmond never had another runner in scoring position. Leftwich worked five scoreless innings, allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Dion retired the first seven batters against him and yielded one hit in 3 2/3 innings. After Dion struck out the first two batters of the ninth inning, Aleman struck out Roby to end the game – Akron’s fourth shutout of the season.
Beware the Halpin HOSE!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 10, 2023
💪 @peteyhalpin pic.twitter.com/OQaz0zpI5l
⭐️@Jacklefty21 stellar start today⭐️
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 10, 2023
5 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts 🔥 https://t.co/Owlz4Hf5a8 pic.twitter.com/DPcYfKplSl
👊 @WDion22
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 10, 2023
3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
BOT 9 | Akron 1 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/m5nNIjaATY
Franco 🔥 for the finish!
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) September 10, 2023
Franco Aleman is 7-for-7 in saves w/ 23.2 IP, 0 ER as a RubberDuck
FINAL | Akron 1 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/bDdwx1qZNU
Duck Tales
Brito hit a one-out double in the first inning off right-hander Ryan Murphy, and designated hitter Bryce Ball walked, but Murphy got second baseman Aaron Bracho to ground into an inning-ending double play. Akron never had another runner in scoring position and had only one other hit before Brito’s home run in the ninth inning. Meanwhile, after Richmond had scored 33 runs and hit nine homers in the first five games of the series, it was shut out for the 11th time this season.
Notebook
Halpin has nine outfield assists this season, second on the team to Johnathan Rodríguez (11)…Aleman has begun his Double-A career 7-for-7 in save chances and 23 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run…Richmond remained three games ahead of Bowie (34-29) for the Southwest Division second-half playoff spot with six games remaining…Richmond won the season series, 11-7…Game Time: 2:06…Attendance: 6,569.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open their final homestand with Altoona at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Canal Park. Right-hander Ross Carver (1-4, 6.60 ERA) is scheduled to face Curve right-hander Justin Meis (4-3, 4.81 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.
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
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
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