RubberDucks Game Recap
Akron RubberDucks (32-25) 7, Somerset Patriots (35-21) 1, 10 innings
WP: Jerson Ramírez (4-1) LP: Matt Minnick (2-2) Save: None
Summary
Right-hander Gavin Williams allowed one hit and one run in 5 2/3 innings in his Akron debut, and the RubberDucks scored six runs in the 10th inning, capped by a grand slam from right fielder Jonathan Engelmann, in a 7-1 victory to earn a six-game series split with the Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark Sunday afternoon. Akron remained one game behind first-place Richmond (33-24) in the Eastern League Southwest Division first-half race.
Turning Point
In a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning, RubberDucks right-hander Jerson Ramírez allowed a single, walk and one-out hit batter to load the bases. With the winning run at third base, Ramírez struck out Somerset designated hitter Chad Bell and right fielder Michael Beltre to send the game to extra innings.
Mound Presence
Williams worked around back-to-back two-out walks in the first inning. In the second, he allowed a solo home run to Bell. Williams then retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced, only yielding another walk. He threw 93 pitches (52 strikes) and pitched 5 2/3 innings, striking out five batters. Left-hander Andrew Misiaszek worked around one hit and struck out three batters in 1 1/3 innings. In the eighth inning, Ramírez allowed a one-out single to shortstop Anthony Volpe, who stole second base, but Ramírez picked him off second base. Ramírez worked two scoreless innings around two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Right-hander Nic Enright worked around a walk for a scoreless 10th inning.
Duck Tales
Left fielder George Valera tied the game, 1-1, in the third inning with a long solo home run to right field off right-hander Randy Vasquez. The tie remained until the 10th inning, when Somerset left-hander Matt Minnick walked Valera and designated hitter Micah Pries to load the bases with one out. Minnick hit first baseman Marcos Gonzalez with a pitch and walked shortstop Daniel Schneemann to force home two runs before Engelmann hit the grand slam to left field.
Notebook
Engelmann hit Akron’s second grand slam this season (Valera hit one May 19 in Binghamton) and the second of his career. He hit his first June 27, 2018, in the rookie Arizona League…Somerset fell 2.5 games behind Hartford (38-19) for first place in the Northeast Division…Game Time: 3:05…Attendance: 5,380.
On the Pond
The RubberDucks open a six-game series in Hartford at 7:05 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Right-hander Hunter Gaddis (4-2, 3.94 ERA) is scheduled to face Yard Goats left-hander Nick Bush (5-3, 3.48 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO.