Alan Kornspan
Believeland Media
The Akron Rubberducks got their first win of the season on Saturday night as they defeated the Altoona Curve, 5-2.Â
Hosting the Curve at Canal Park in downtown Akron, the Rubberducks got on the scoreboard early as they plated runs in the bottom of the first and second innings.
Petey Halpin was 3-5 in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Leadoff hitter Petey Halpin led off the bottom of the first with a line drive single to right field. After Chase DeLauter flew out to left field, Kahlil Watson moved Halpin to third on a single to right field.
Petey Halpin scores Rubberducks first run Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Halpin gave the Rubberducks a 1-0 lead when he scored from third base on Aaron Bracho's sacrifice fly.
Aaron Bracho had two RBI in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
In the second inning, Kody Huff got on base with a two out double.
Rubberducks catcher, Kody Huff had a two out double in the second inning on Saturday night.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
The next batter, Yordys Valdes singled to center field, scoring Kody Huff and giving the Rubberducks a 2-0 lead.
After the Rubberducks were held scoreless in the third and fourth innings, they added single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.Â
In the bottom of the fifth, Halpin and DeLauter singled to start the inning. They moved up to second and third on Watson's ground out. Halpin then scored on a fielder’s choice ground out by Bracho which gave the Rubberducks a 3-0 lead.
The Rubberducks took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after a one out double by Christian Cairo.
Yordys Valdes was 2-4 with 2 RBI in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Yordys Valdes then got his second RBI of the game. On a 3-1 count with two out, Valdys singled to left field which scored Cairo.
The Rubberducks scored their final run of the contest in the bottom of the 7th inning.
Dayan Frias hit into a fielder's choice which scored DeLauter to make the score 5-0.
The Curve added two runs in the top of the eighth to make the final score 5-2.
For the game, leading the Rubberducks offensively was right fielder Petey Halpin who was 3-5 on the day. In addition, Cairo and Valdes both had two-hit games for the Rubberducks.
Christian Cairo, who was 2-4 for the game, steals second base in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
On the mound for the Rubberducks against the Curve to start the game was Thomas Mace, the 69th pick in the 2021 draft who played collegiately at the University of Florida.
Mace pitched an excellent game as he threw five innings, giving up no runs, and only one hit, while striking out five.
Thomas Mace threw five innings, giving up no runs, and only one hit, while striking out five in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Relieving Mace to start the top of the sixth, Ross Carver threw two innings of shutout baseball, and struck out five batters while only giving up one hit.
Andrew Walters earned the save in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Curve as he threw 1 and 1/3 innings and struck out five batters.
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
Earning the save for the Rubberducks was Andrew Walters from the University of Miami, who was chosen by the Guardians with the 62nd pick of the 2023 draft.
In 1â…“ of an inning, Walters gave up no ones, no hits, and struck out four batters.
With the victory, the Rubberducks move to 1-1 on the season.
The Rubberducks will next play the Altoona Curve again on Sunday afternoon before embarking on a six game road trip next week against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.