The Akron RubberDucks continue to play some of the best baseball across all minor league levels after completing a three-game sweep at home over Binghamton last weekend. A loss on Monday in Altoona was followed by consecutive wins over the Curve as the RubberDucks have put up 26 runs in the first three games of the four-game road set.

They will go for the series win on Thursday morning in a 10:30 AM start. Following that game, they will return home to Canal Park for four against Harrisburg and three more against Altoona.

In other RubberDucks news and notes…

HANKINS HOT SINCE COLUMBUS STINT

After spending a couple of games on the roster of the Columbus Clippers, Todd Hankins returned to Akron and after a rough 0-for-11 against the Erie SeaWolves ripped off a ten-game hitting streak. It ended on Monday with an 0-for-3 against Altoona, but he had three hits in four at bats on Tuesday and added a four-hit game on Wednesday, hitting two singles, a double, a triple, and driving in four runs.

His average, just .178 at the start of his ten-game hitting streak, has climbed to .241 after hitting safely in 12 of his last 13.

PLENTY OF THREES IN AKRON ON WEDNESDAY

LeBron James wasn’t the only Akronite putting up threes on Wednesday. The RubberDucks scored three runs in four separate innings in their 13-6 win over Altoona to claim at least a series split with the Curve.

ZIMMER BREAKS OUT

Bradley Zimmer has reached base in six straight games and has hit safely in each of the last three games of the Altoona series. That included a three-hit game on Tuesday, his third such game of the season. He hit his eighth home run of the season in the contest and drove in four runs on the night. He followed it up with two more RBI on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old is 5-for-14 in the series against the Curve with six RBI.

RODRIGUEZ HIT IN SIX STRAIGHT

First baseman Nellie Rodriguez has hit in six straight games for the RubberDucks, pushing his batting average 14 points higher in the process. He had a pair of two-hit games and hit two homers in that span. In each of the first five games of the hitting streak, he had at least one RBI.

MORIMANDO IMPROVES TO 8-0

Shawn Morimando improved to 4-0 in the month of May and 8-0 for the season with a win in his ninth start of the year. The victory over Binghamton gave him decisions in all but one start this season, but increased his ERA to a still-miniscule 1.87 for the year.

The 23-year-old lefty has thrown 53 innings, allowing 36 hits and 22 walks (1.09 WHIP) while striking out 37.

FRAZIER TO DL, MYLES RETURNS FROM COLUMBUS

Bryson Myles returned from his stint at Triple-A Columbus to replace Clint Frazier on the roster on Wednesday. The Indians top prospect exited the game on Monday with a pulled right hamstring after a first inning double.

HELLER AND MARONDE SWITCH PLACES

Hard-throwing right-hander Ben Heller got a promotion to Triple-A on Saturday, replacing left-hander Nick Maronde, who was assigned to Akron.

Heller was 1-0 in 15 games for the RubberDucks with a 0.55 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and .057 batting average against. He had struck out 23 batters in 16 1/3 innings. He is 0-1 in two appearances for Columbus with a 9.00 ERA after allowing two runs on three hits over the first two innings of his Triple-A career.

Maronde appeared in three games for the Clippers in relief, allowing one run on five hits with five walks and two strikeouts. He has a pair of games logged with the RubberDucks, giving up just a hit in two innings of work.

SHOOTER McGAVIN BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT

On Saturday, May 28, the RubberDucks will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie “Happy Gilmore” with a Shooter McGavin bobblehead night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will get the giveaway at Canal Park. Also in attendance that night will be the actor who played the iconic role, Christopher McDonald.

MOVIE NIGHTS

The RubberDucks will host a pair of movie nights at Canal Park this summer, the fourth consecutive summer that Akron has held such an event.

On Saturday, July 2, at 6 PM, the movie “Minions” will be shown on the 26’ by 68’ high-def video board at the park. Fans can bring blankets and watch the show from the outfield grass of Canal Park. On Saturday, August 6, again at 6 PM, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will grace the same board.

“We are excited to have another opportunity to bring affordable, family fun to Canal Park, even while the team is on a road trip,” said Akron GM Jim Pfander in a press release. “Our Movie Nights at Canal Park are a perfect way for families to spend time together and create an experience they will never forget.”

Tickets for the showings are $5, with children three and under gaining free entrance.

Photo: David Monseur/MiLB.com