Akron, OH — Akron RubberDucks has its third shutout loss this season. Previously defeated by Erie twice, Akron shut down at 0 - 3 against Altoona in the series finale Sunday Night at People Natural Gas Field on June 13.
Akron right-hander Alex Royalty allowed one unearned run on two hits in six innings, but Altoona right-hander Jeff Passantino and three Curve relievers combined for a 3 - 0 shutout that clinched a six-game series victory, four games to two, over the RubberDucks.
Altoona had not scored in the first five games until in the first inning against Royalty. Shortstop Oneil Cruz hit a leadoff single to center field and went to third base on Royalty’s errant pickoff throw. Second baseman Rodolfo Castro hit a sacrifice fly to score Cruz for a 1-0 lead.
Royalty retired the next 12 batters in a row, set a hit and walk in the fifth inning with the help of a double play. Left-hander Skylar Arias didn't pitch a score in the seventh inning. Right-hander Kyle Marman began the eighth inning by walking center fielder Jonah Davis and allowing Pabst’s RBI double. Right-hander Nick Mikolajchak relieved him with one out and allowed left fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba’s two-out RBI single.
Akron had two runners on base in three innings but did not score. Third Baseman José Fermín walked in the eighth inning and Freeman was hit by a pitch, which led to a double play.
Akron has outscored with a total of 32 - 35 against Altoona and continued their 12-game road trip this Tuesday against Baysox RHP Grayson Rodriguez at 6.30 p.m EDT.