Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: David Monseur/Accent Images/Courtesy Akron RubberDucks

The RubberDucks lost the first four games of their road series against the Bowie Baysox but won the last two to push their overall record to 7-8. After a blowout 20-6 loss to open the series on Tuesday the offense struggled, and scored just three runs over their next three games. RHP Daniel Espino’s dominant performance and a rejuvenated offense helped Akron win on Saturday while solid pitching and timely hitting helped the ‘Ducks take the series finale on Sunday in 10 innings. 

Day-by-Day

4/19: Bowie 20, Akron 6; W: Hoffman; L: Gaddis
4/20: Bowie 5, Akron 0; W: Stallings; L: Cantillo; S: Watson
4/21: Bowie 3, Akron 2; W: Gillaspie; L: Miednik
4/22: Bowie 2, Akron 1; W: Conroy; L: Kelly
4/23: Akron 8, Bowie 6; W: Espino; L: Velez; S: Ramirez
4/24: Akron 3, Bowie 2; W Kelly; L: Perkins

Player of the Week:

RHP Daniel Espino: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 14 K

Espino dazzled on Saturday afternoon against Bowie as he racked up 14 strikeouts in five innings of work. His fastball reached triple digits multiple times as he struck out the first 11 batters he faced before giving up a solo home run to Bowie shortstop Gunnar Henderson. The ‘Ducks went on to win the game 8-6 to break their four game slide. Espino now has an ERA of 2.63 on the season to go with 30 strikeouts over 13.2 innings pitched. 

Who’s Hot

OF Will Brennan: 5-16, 3 RBI

Brennan was the hottest hitter on the RubberDucks in the first week of the season and continued his solid play last week against Bowie. He played a key role in Saturday’s win over the Baysox going 2-4 with 2 RBI.

LHP Andrew Misiaszek: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 10 K

The southpaw has been red hot to start the season. He pitched 3.1 innings during Wednesday’s loss striking out seven and allowing just one baserunner. He then helped Akron to a victory Sunday striking out three in two innings of work. He has now pitched 9.2 innings on the year without giving up a run while piling up 16 strikeouts.

RHP Kevin Kelly: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 K

Along with Misiaszek, Kelly has been at the top of the Akron bullpen this season and he shined during a series of struggles for the RubberDucks. Pitching with the game already out of hand on Tuesday, he went 2.1 innings allowing one hit and striking out five. He got the win on Sunday keeping Bowie off the board in the 9th and 10th innings of Akron’s 3-2 victory. He has now gone 9.1 innings without giving up an earned run to start the season. 

Who’s Not 

IF Daniel Schneemann: 2-18, .111/.200/.167 

In five games played against Bowie, Schneeman continued early season struggles. He got on base just four times and struggled to make anything happen batting in the #1, #7, #8 and #9 spots throughout the week. 

IF Brayan Rocchio: 5-26, 7K/1 BB, 3 RBI

The #3 Guardians prospect struggled at the plate last week getting on base just six times across all six games against Bowie. Despite the tough week, Rocchio will look to build on a nice performance on Sunday in which he knocked in all three of the ‘Ducks runs including the game winner in the 10th. 

Transactions

4/20/22 LHP Jake Miednik assigned to Akron RubberDucks from ACL Guardians

4/21/22 C Seth Caddell assigned to Lake County Captains from Akron RubberDucks

Coming Up:

4/26: vs. Altoona, 6:35 PM

4/27: vs. Altoona, 6:35 PM

4/28: vs. Altoona, 6:35 PM

4/29: vs. Altoona, 7:05 PM

4/30: vs. Altoona, 7:05 PM

5/1: vs. Altoona, 2:05 PM