Akron continues dominance over the Yard Goats with shutout win

Hartford’s Mylz Jones had one of the three hits by the Yard Goats in Saturday’s loss to Akron. Jones had a double.

HARTFORD, July 27 – Akron pitcher Jordan Stephens struck out a season-high eight and allowed three hits in five scoreless innings as the visiting Rubber Ducks beat the Hartford Yard Goats, 6-0 in a rain-shortened Eastern League game Saturday at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

The game was called after 5½ innings, following a 51-minute rain delay.   It was Hartford’s seventh loss in its last eight games. The Yard Goats have lost three straight games to Akron, the Double A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

Akron (13-24 second half), which has won all six games against Hartford (15-21) this season, scored the only run it needed in the first inning on a two-out RBI single by Connor Marabell.

The Ducks broke open the game against Hartford starter Antonio Santos (0-2, 13.50 ERA) with a five-run fourth inning.  After Nellie Rodriguez reached first on a third strike wild pitch, Akron strung together six straight singles, led by Alexis Pantoja’s two-run hit.

Santo’s, a right-hander making his home debut, pitched five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits.  He walked one and struck out five.

Vance Vizcaino and Mylz Jones each had double for the Yard Goats, who had just three hits in the game.  Pantoja’s two hits and two RBI and a double, single and RBI from Nolan Jones led Akron’s 10-hit attack.

The game marked the 33rd sellout this season at Dunkin’ Donuts Park and 11th straight.  The final game of the four-game series is tomorrow at 1:05 p.m.  LHP Jack Wynkoop will pitch for Hartford, while RHP Eli Morgan will start for Akron.