by Starting pitcher Austin Peterson is having a summer to remember, winning his 4th start in 5 chances as a RubberDuck. Peterson, who started 14 games for the Guardians High-A affiliate Lake County Captains earlier this season, kept his ERA at 2.37 through 30 innings in an Akron uniform. The Akron offensive unit picked up their starter in yesterday’s contest, with 7 of 9 hitters collecting at least 1 hit.
As well as Peterson pitched, he had to overcome early adversity. In the top of the first, Bowie left fielder Matthew Etzel singled through the right side of the infield with two outs. Designated hitter TT Bowens then blasted his 10th big fly on the year, giving Bowie a quick jump start.
Peter Van Loon was on the mound for the Baysox. The twenty-five-year-old was making his third start for the Orioles Double-A affiliate. Allowing no runs in his first 12 innings for Bowie, he was determined to maintain that streak, striking out the side in the bottom of the second.
Peterson struck out two in the top half of the third and held the Baysox scoreless. Designated hitter Connor Kokx and center fielder Petey Halpin bunted for a single with 2 outs in back-to-back at-bats. Van Loon then walked the third baseman Milan Tolentino, loading the bases with two outs. First baseman Aaron Bracho looked to drive in important runs, but Van Loon threw a wild pitch, on which Kokx scored from third. Van Loon would walk Bracho but clawed his way out of the inning the following Akron batter.
Peterson tossed another clean inning in the top of the fourth. Van Loon was replaced by Bradley Brehmer in the bottom half. The RubberDucks lineup continued to stay aggressive, with catcher Cody Huff and second baseman Dayan Frias each singling with one out. Shortstop Yordys Valdez hit a sharp grounder to second base with runners on second and third. The Bowie second baseman Collin Burns tried to make a great play, attempting to throw up the hustling Huff at home. Catcher Connor Pavolony could not corral the ball, as it kicked off his glove and rolled to the backstop. This error prompted Frias to come around and score as well. Kokx then hit an RBI single to right field, plating Valdes.
Up 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Bracho led off the inning with a double toward the right field wall. Left fielder Joe Lampe hit an RBI single through the right side. Akron would go on to score another run, extending their lead by 4. It was certainly not Brehmner’s day, as the Baysox reliever completed 2 innings, but gave up 7 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, and fanned 1.
Peterson got pulled after tossing seven solid innings, throwing 87 pitches. It must have been encouraging to the RubberDucks dugout to see his mental toughness on display after going down in the first. Peterson finished his day with 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Jack Leftwich pitched the eighth, giving up a solo shot to first baseman Samuel Basallo. Up 3 with runners on first and second in the ninth, Magnus Ellerts forced a 4-6-3 double play to end the game, picking up his first save as an Akron RubberDuck.
The RubberDucks won a much-needed game 3, as they look to push on and tie up the series at 2 games apiece on Friday. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 EDT.
