The Akron RubberDucks took small ball to a microscopic level Sunday to defeat the Portland Sea Dogs, 4-1.

The visitors built rallies around two bunt singles and two walks to foil a strong pitching outing from four Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field.

It started with the first batter. Bryson Myles pushed a bunt down the third-base line, went to second on a ground ball that trickled down the first-base line, stole third base and came home on another groundout.

Portland starter Heri Quevedo, making a spot appearance in place of Mike McCarthy, left with that 1-0 deficit after four innings despite surrendering only two singles, neither of which left the infield.

Portland tied the score in the fifth on a Manuel Margot double and a Tzu-Wei Lin single. But Akron starter Adam Plutko was strong for seven innings as he ran his record to 8-4.

The RubberDucks, meanwhile, pushed across another run in the sixth. Portland relief pitcher Williams Jerez walked the leadoff batter, and Bradley Zimmer later delivered a soft RBI single to left field.

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Akron (65-56) scored twice more in the ninth inning, when Yandy Diaz singled and Zimmer walked against Portland’s John Cornely, who had struck out four batters in two perfect innings before that. Both runners eventually scored.

“I don’t think he’s pitched three innings yet, so we sent him out there for that extra inning. It was a good first two innings, but I think he kind of ran out of gas there,” Portland Manager Billy McMillon said of Cornely, who was making his 23rd appearance.

“We were going to monitor him when he went out there for that third inning. We had (Simon) Mercedes (warming up) right at the beginning of that inning, trying to minimize some damage. Unfortunately, both of those runs scored.”

Mercedes came on to face Ronny Rodriguez, who fouled off a pitch and then surprised the Sea Dogs by laying down a bunt single. Two RBI singles through the infield followed.

The RubberDucks collected only seven hits, all singles, and struck out 10 times.

“I think our pitchers did a good job of attacking the zone. I think we had a couple of walks that burnt us,” McMillon said.

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Portland (44-77) mustered only five hits, but did load the bases in the bottom of the ninth off Akron closer Jeff Johnson on a Tim Roberson double and two walks. Left fielder Aneury Tavarez struck out on three pitches to end the game.

“That’s probably one of 20 games where we’ve had the tying or winning run at the plate in the last inning and have fallen short,” McMillon said.

“It would have been exciting if he could have put that last ball in play just to see what happens. He’s no stranger to that situation, it’s just that that pitcher, he made his pitches when he needed to.”

NOTES: McCarthy was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday to pitch the second game of a doubleheader against Lehigh Valley. He allowed six runs in six innings, taking a 6-5 loss. … The Sea Dogs received right-hander Kyle Kaminska from Single-A Salem. The 26-year-old had a 3.03 ERA in 33 innings for Salem. … Sunday’s attendance was announced as a near-sellout of 7,327, but there were probably 2,000 empty seats on a hot, humid afternoon. … Portland begins a three-game series Tuesday in Altoona.

 


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