Guardians Baseball Insider

After matching their best start since 2016 with a 5-0 series-opening win, the RubberDucks dropped four of the next five games of the series, bringing their season record to 7-4. The Erie Seawolves, now 8-4 on the year, won their second series in a row by beating the RubberDucks. Akron actually outscored the SeaWolves 28-25 over the entirety of the week, but Erie was able to win three games by two runs or less. Tyler Freeman was one of the bright spots for the RubberDucks as he was locked in at the plate, highlighted by his first career five-hit game and the extension of his hit streak to seven games. At the outset of the season, it seemed the lack of high-end starting pitching talent could prove costly for the Akron squad, and that was the case this week in each loss. The RubberDuck starters combined for 13 IP and 16 ER in their four losses, giving the Erie offense several early leads, or spotting a lot of early runs to the SeaWolf offense. Akron will go up against the Reading Fightin Phils (2-10) this week, who are on a seven-game losing streak and were swept this past week by the Bowie Baysox. 

Day-by-Day

5/11: W 5-0 vs. Erie; W: Lingos (1-0); L: Payano (1-1)
5/12: L 0-4 vs. Erie; W: Rodriguez (1-0); L: Hillman (0-1); SV: Bass (1)
5/13: L 4-6 vs. Erie; W: Ladwig (1-1); L: Tully (1-1); SV: Moreno (1)
5/14: L 4-6 vs. Erie; W: De Jesus (1-0); L: Ponticelli (1-1); SV: Martinez (1)
5/15: W 9-2 vs. Erie; W: Miednik W (1-0); L: Leiter (1-1)
5/16: L 6-7 vs. Erie; W: Bass (1-0); L: Clemmer (0-1); SV: Moreno (2)

Player of the Week

SS Tyler Freeman: 10-23, 2 2B’s, 5 RBI’s, .980 OPS

For anyone who may have forgotten why Tyler Freeman is IBI’s #1 prospect, well, here is why. Freeman had a scorching week in Erie, as he picked up 10 hits in a five-game span. He also extended his hitting streak to seven games during the week, as he carried the Akron offense. In the RubberDucks 9-2 win on Saturday, Freeman had a career-high five hits and recorded three RBI’s.

Who’s Hot: 

RHP Shane McCarthy: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 8 K’s

Shane McCarthy had a great second start of the season, as he struck out eight batters in 4.2 innings of work. McCarthy allowed only three baserunners in the outing, walking two and allowing only one hit. As noted in our game report from his first outing this season, the right-hander is donating $3 per strikeout this season to pediatric cancer research. With eight strikeouts on Saturday, that brings up the season total to $30 to his campaign. 

LHP Jake Miednik: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 7 K, 1 W

Jake Miednik was excellent out of the pen this week for the RubberDucks, as he was able to strike out seven in three innings of work, without allowing a hit. The left-hander only allowed two baserunners with two walks in his two outings. Miednik also picked up the win with two innings of work on Saturday, in which he struck out five. 

Will Benson: 5-17, 3B, HR, 3 BB’s, .988 OPS

After a horrific start to his week, starting 0-9 with eight strikeouts, Benson finished strong with two strong games during the weekend. His power was on display during those games with two booming XBHs and 10 TB’s, finishing the week on a 5-8 stretch. What is most encouraging by this start so far, is the walks that keep coming for Benson. His walk percentage on the season is now at 22%, well above any of his other career marks. For Benson to continue his success, he will likely have to cut down on the strikeouts, which is at a career high rate of 36.1% so far. 

Who’s Not

LHP Tanner Tully: 3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 2 BB

After a great outing is his first start of the season, Tully was hit hard by the SeaWolves’ offense. Tully couldn’t get out of the fourth inning in his start on Thursday, as he was charged with two runs in the inning and six overall. Tully only struck out one batter and has now given up seven runs, six ER, in his first 8.1 innings of work. 

C Bo Naylor 2-15, 8 K’s, .388 OPS

Bo Naylor continues to struggle to start this season, as he had a tough week against the Erie pitching staff. Naylor picked up just two hits over his four games played, and he struck out in over half of his at bats. Naylor is slashing just .185/.313/.222 over the first eight games of his season. 

Coming Up

5/18: vs. Reading @ 6:35 p.m.

5/19: vs. Reading @ 6:35 p.m.

5/20: vs. Reading @ 6:35 p.m.

5/21: vs. Reading @ 7:05 p.m.

5/22: vs. Reading @ 7:05 p.m.

5/23: vs. Reading @ 2:05 p.m.