AKRON, Ohio—The Akron RubberDucks picked up their 40th victory of the 2022 season with a 3-1 win against the Harrisburg Senators.
This was the fourth of six matchups between the two teams. Each of them hail from the Eastern League Southwest division in Minor League Baseball.
Slow start
Akron started former Georgia Tech pitcher Xzavion Curry. He did not disappoint in the opening inning as he allowed no runners on base.
The RubberDucks found some momentum in the bottom of the first when Micah Pries hit a single to send the team’s top hitter, George Valera, all the way to third base.
But Akron’s next hitter, José Tena, was unable to take advantage and the first inning ended scoreless.
Back and forth second inning
Despite the early momentum for Akron, it was Harrisburg who struck first in the second inning. Catcher Drew Millas earned his first double of the game, sending Senator outfielder Justin Connell home. Just like that, the visitors took a 1-0 lead.
But when it was their turn to bat, Akron once again had hope. The bases were loaded after Senators pitcher Steven Fuentes allowed RubberDucks infielder Daniel Schneemann to walk. It would be up to Chris Roller to help the home team secure their first score of the game.
And he did just that.
Roller hit a high-flying single that allowed Raynel Delgado to run past home plate to tie the game. Roller also allowed Akron to get the bases loaded once again with his single.
Venezuela native Bryan Rocchio had a sacrifice fly, helping Julian Escobedo break the deadlock and give the RubberDucks a 2-1 lead.
Pitching dominance
The third and fourth innings saw no change in the score. However, fans at Canal Park were treated to some strong pitching performances. Xzavion Curry of the RubberDucks had three consecutive strikeouts in the top of the fourth inning. He played for six full innings.
“He (Curry) was outstanding,” RubberDucks manager Rouglas Odor said. “Anytime we have a starter who can give us five (to) six (to) seven innings, that’s huge.”
Harrisburg changed their pitcher from Steven Fuentes to Richard Guasch in the fourth inning. Guasch did not disappoint in his first stint on the mound. He had two strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth.
Valera strikes again
21-year-old prospect George Valera picked up his 12th home run of the season with a fly ball to center field. He sailed past all four bases and doubled Akron’s lead.
The RubberDucks led Harrisburg 3-1 after five innings of play. George Valera
Ponticelli steps in
Phoenix, Arizona native Thomas Ponticelli replaced Curry at the top of the seventh inning for Akron.
His first inning on the mound was a success, allowing no scores and helping the RubberDucks maintain their two-run lead. Ponticelli then followed that up by striking out Harrisburg’s John Nogowski to open the eighth inning.
Jerson Ramírez then ended the game on the mound for Akron. He picked up two strikeouts in the ninth inning.
The RubberDucks defeated the Senators by a final score of 3-1. They remain in first place in the MiLB’s Eastern League Southwest standings.
Upcoming schedule
Akron and Harrisburg will clash two more times over the weekend. The next game between the RubberDucks and Senators will be on Saturday from Canal Park.
Tanner Burns is expected to be the starting pitcher for Akron in Saturday’s contest.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.
