RubberDucks Game Recap
Somerset Patriots (35-20) 6, Akron RubberDucks (31-25) 0
WP: Sean Boyle (3-3) LP: Tanner Burns (1-2) Save: None
Summary
Somerset right-hander Sean Boyle pitched six scoreless innings and combined with three relievers on a three-hit shutout of the RubberDucks in a 6-0 Patriots win Saturday night at TD Bank Ballpark. Akron dropped one game behind first-place Richmond and into a tie with Erie for second place in the Eastern League Southwest Division.
Turning Point
The Patriots broke a scoreless tie in the third inning against right-hander Tanner Burns. Third baseman Max Burt hit a one-out single and went to third base on an errant pickoff throw by Burns. Patriots shortstop Anthony Volpe hit an RBI double to left field, and after Burns was lifted with two outs, designated hitter Josh Breaux hit an RBI double off right-hander Robert Broom to give Somerset a 2-0 lead.
Mound Presence
Burns retired seven of the first eight batters he faced. He allowed consecutive hits in the third inning and was removed with two outs. In his second start off the injured list, he was charged with two earned runs on two hits with three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Broom got the final out of the third inning. Right-hander Luis Oviedo pitched a scoreless fourth inning but allowed two hits and a run in the fifth inning. He also allowed two walks and a hit to load the bases in the sixth, before an RBI fielder’s choice by third baseman Max Burt and Volpe’s two-run double to make it 6-0. Oviedo lasted a season-long 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Right-hander Brett Daniels retired all four batters with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings.
Duck Tales
After falling behind, 2-0, in the third inning, Akron loaded the bases against Boyle in the fourth, as first baseman Micah Pries was hit by a pitch, center fielder Julian Escobedo singled, and right fielder Jonathan Engelmann walked, before Boyle retired second baseman Daniel Schneemann on a flyout to left field. Akron left 10 batters on base in the game.
Notebook
Escobedo had two of Akron’s three hits in his first multi-hit game since May 19…The RubberDucks were shut out for the fifth time this season, while the Patriots pitched their third shutout…Somerset remained 1.5 games behind Hartford (37-19) for first place in the Northeast Division…Game Time: 2:42…Attendance: 7,891.