Planez Homers Twice; Mace, Ducks Shut Out Bowie, 6-0

May 11, 2024 – Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release

RubberDucks right-hander Tommy Mace pitched six scoreless innings for his Eastern League-leading fourth win and Akron’s second straight shutout, while designated hitter Alexfri Planez homered twice in a 6-0 victory over the Bowie Baysox in the fifth game of a six-game series at Prince George’s Stadium Friday night.

Turning Point

Planez hit the first pitch of the second inning from right-hander Seth Johnson for a home run to left-center field. In the bottom of the second, Mace allowed a one-out double to right fielder John Rhodes. With the tying run at second base, Mace got catcher Silas Ardoin on a groundout, and in a 13-pitch at bat, he struck out shortstop Collin Burns to end the inning. Center fielder Petey Halpin homered in the next half inning, and Bowie never again had the tying run on base.

Mound Presence

Mace scattered four hits and one walk (coming from a plate appearance split across a 30-minute rain delay) while striking out three batters. He worked six innings for the third straight appearance and has yielded one run over his last three outings – 19 total innings for a 0.47 ERA. Right-hander Davis Sharpe pitched two scoreless innings, working around two walks, and had three consecutive strikeouts in one stretch. Right-hander Tyler Thornton struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning, finishing Akron’s second straight shutout and seventh this season – most in major or minor league baseball. RubberDucks pitchers have not allowed a run for 23 consecutive innings against Baysox hitters.

Duck Tales

Akron added to its lead in the fifth inning against left-hander Trey McGough. Third baseman Milan Tolentino reached on an error by Burns, went to second base on a passed ball, and scored on Halpin’s RBI single to center field. Halpin advanced on a balk, and second baseman Aaron Bracho hit a two-out RBI single to right field for a 4-0 lead. In the sixth against right-hander Carlos Tavera, first baseman Joe Naranjo – who turned 23 Saturday – singled to right field, shortstop Yordys Valdés walked, and right fielder Joe Lampe hit an RBI single. Planez slugged his second home run off Tavera in the seventh, becoming the first RubberDuck with a multi-homer game this season.

Notebook

Halpin homered in consecutive games, extending a nine-game hitting streak – the longest by a RubberDuck this season…Akron shut out Bowie, which has scored the most runs (157) of any Eastern League…