RubberDucks 5 Flying Squirrels 4WP: David Speer (3-2) LP: Ryan Halstead (3-3) Save: noneSummaryAkron's Ka'ai Tom launched a one-out, solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the RubberDucks a thrilling, walk-off win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 5-4, Friday night at Canal Park.
RubberDucks 5 Flying Squirrels 4
WP: David Speer (3-2) LP: Ryan Halstead (3-3) Save: none
Summary
Akron's Ka'ai Tom launched a one-out, solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the RubberDucks a thrilling, walk-off win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 5-4, Friday night at Canal Park.
Turning Point
With the game tied, 4-4, Tom came to the plate with one out in the bottom of the ninth facing hard-throwing right-hander Ryan Halstead (3-3). After taking the first pitch for a ball, Tom cranked the next pitch out of the park to hand the RubberDucks (58-40) a 5-4 win and their second walk-off victory in as many nights against the Squirrels (46-50). The homer was Tom's ninth of the year and his second hit of the game.
Mound Presence
David Speer (3-2) earned the relief win for the RubberDucks, going 2.1 innings. He entered the game with the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh and struck out pinch-hitter Dylan Davis to preserve a 4-3 Akron lead. He allowed a run on three hits in the eighth to force a 4-4 tie, but twirled a perfect ninth to set the stage for Tom's game-winner. Speer has only allowed three earned runs over his last 16 appearances. Triston McKenzie started for the Ducks and allowed three runs on six hits over 5.1 innings.
Duck Tales
Connor Marabell blasted a three-run homer to right field in the sixth to give the Ducks a 4-3 lead. It came off Richmond's Chris Heston. It was Marabell's 11th of the year and his second of the series. Logan Ice was 2-3, with a triple and an RBI single in the third inning.
Notebook
The RubberDucks have won three straight and are now a season-high 18 games over the .500-mark…Richmond's Ryan Howard hit a solo homer and Aramis Garcia cranked a two-run shot, both off McKenzie…It was Akron's 9th walk-off win in 47 home games (19 per cent)…Tyler Krieger was 1-4, with a double, to extend his hit streak to 15 games…Andrew Calica stole his team-high 22nd base of the season…Time of game: 2:55 … Attendance: 6,525.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks and Flying Squirrels will continue the series on Saturday evening at 7:05. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM, the WARF iHeart channel, and the TuneIn Radio App.
