by The Akron RubberDucks put up a six spot in the bottom half of the fourth inning thanks to 2 home runs, including a three-run moonshot. Akron’s arms held down the fort, letting up 1 run and 4 hits. New York Yankees affiliate Somerset managed to score 1 run that came in the ninth when the game was merely decided.
Akron starter Tanner Burns tossed 3 consistent innings, walking 2 hitters, striking 3 out, and giving up one hit. It was the fourteenth start of the season for Burns, which is the third most on the RubberDucks roster. Although his record stands at 3-3 on the year, Burns has proved to be a key rotational arm for Akron. He has logged over 73 innings pitched, amassing 73 strikeouts, a 1.27 WHIP, and keeping his ERA at a steady 3.31.
The RubberDucks lineup exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the fourth. Second baseman Juan Brito, designated hitter Aaron Bracho, and right fielder Korey Holland collected 3 straight singles to begin the inning. Holland drove in Brito with his single through the left side of the infield to give Akron an early lead. First baseman Bryce Ball launched a mammoth three-run home run that soared over the right field wall to extend the lead to 4. Following a walk to catcher Michael Ramirez, lead-off hitter, and twelfth-ranked Guardians prospect Petey Halpin hit a missile down the right field wall for a two-run home run, Akron’s second in 4 batters. Unlike Ball’s home run, Halpin hit a line drive that barely missed the foul pole.
Somerset had no answers at the plate today, collecting only 1 hit through eight innings. Southpaw Erik Sabrowski earned his second win, shutting down the Somerset hitters in the fourth, striking one out in the process. Righty Ross Carver pitched 4 innings in relief of Sabrowski, picking up his second hold on the year. Carver arguably has his best outing this season, allowing one base runner out of the thirteen he faced. He posted a highly efficient 7 punch-outs with 1 walk.
Almost the entire Akron lineup accumulated one hit. Halpin went 2-for-4 with his seventh home run on the season and 2 RBIs. Bracho also had himself a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4. Five other Akron hitters tallied 1 hit. Akron’s arms let up 4 hits, 1 run, and 4 walks while striking out 12.
Yankees’ number 1 overall prospect, Jasson Dominguez was the only bright spot for Somerset’s offensive woes. He went 1-for-2 with 2 base-on-balls and an RBI. The Dominican Republic native is hitting .228 with 12 home runs, 53 RBIs, and swiping 29 bags. The switch hitter was signed as an international free agent in the summer of 2019 and has climbed up the ladder as he inches closer to the show. He is currently the No. 40 overall prospect in all of baseball.
Akron looks to keep the momentum going into game 2 of six games against Somerset. The first pitch on Wednesday is 6:35 EDT.
