RubberDucks Game Recap
Somerset Patriots (34-19) 4, Akron RubberDucks (30-24) 3
WP: Josh Maciejewski (4-0) LP: Kyle Marman (1-1) Save: Carson Coleman (2)
Summary
Somerset first baseman Mickey Gasper hit two home runs, and the Patriots scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning for a 4-3 victory over the RubberDucks at TD Bank Ballpark Thursday night. The second straight loss dropped Akron one game behind first-place Richmond (31-23) and into a second-place tie with Erie in the Southwest Division.
Turning Point
The Patriots broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning against right-hander Kyle Marman. He walked first baseman Mickey Gasper and threw a wild pitch that sent Gasper to second base. Left fielder Oliver Dunn grounded a one-out single to center field, scoring Gasper when George Valera’s throw came out of catcher Bo Naylor’s glove on the tag attempt.
Mound Presence
RubberDucks left-hander Logan Allen worked six innings for the sixth time in 11 starts this season. He held Somerset to three hits, though he allowed the two go-ahead home runs by Gasper – a solo homer in the second inning and a two-run homer in the fourth. Allen struck out nine batters while allowing three walks and three hits. Marman allowed the deciding run in the seventh inning. Right-hander Nic Enright pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Duck Tales
Akron took a lead in the fourth inning. Somerset right-hander Luis Medina walked center fielder George Valera, designated hitter Micah Pries singled to right field, Medina hit left fielder Chris Roller with a pitch to load the bases, and two Medina wild pitches scored two runs for a 2-1 RubberDucks lead. Third baseman Victor Nova extended a three-game hitting streak with a fifth-inning double but was thrown out trying to score the tying run on infield ground ball. Pries did tie the game in the sixth inning with a solo home run – his sixth of the season – off left-hander Matt Minnick.
Notebook
Somerset remained a half-game behind Hartford (35-19) for first place in the Eastern League Northeast Division…The RubberDucks have played four straight one-run games and are 8-9 in such games this season…Naylor’s season-long eight-game on-base streak ended with an 0-for-4 game…Game Time: 2:13…Attendance: 4,738.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Somerset at 7:05 p.m. EDT Friday. Akron right-hander Xzavion Curry (3-2, 3.99 ERA) is scheduled to face Patriots right-hander Mitch Spence (2-2, 4.57 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO.