The RubberDucks are one win away from going back to the future.
Should they win again in the Eastern League Championship Series, they will add their fifth ring in the history of the organization. If it happens, it will be as a result of beating the Trenton Thunder, just like they did the last time in 2012.
The Ducks are afforded that luxury because they took care of business at home, grabbing two games at Canal Park, including a 4-2 win over Trenton on Wednesday in Game 2.
It could all end with a title Friday when RubberDucks right-hander Nick Pasquale (4-7, 4.22) faces lefty Justus Sheffield (0-0, 0.00), who was part of the trade that brought Andrew Miller to the Indians.
“These were really big,” Ducks manager David Wallace said. “They’re a really good team. By no means is this series over. Obviously, I love where we’re at, but I thought it was crucial that we got both of these.
“We’ll go in for a tough three — hopefully just one — [on the road], but we’ll be ready. I couldn’t be happier. I’m real proud of those guys and how they battled and played a complete game.”
Unlike Game 1, there was no grand slam to highlight a win. Instead, Game 2 came down to pitching, which was a huge advantage considering the RubberDucks sported the hottest arm in the league.
Left-hander Rob Kaminsky closed out the regular season by going 6-0 with a 1.87 ERA.
He picked up where he left off against Trenton.
Kaminsky, who said he had his best curveball of the season, did give up seven hits and two runs over 6⅔ innings, but gave the Ducks another win by logging a season-high in strikeouts with eight. He walked off to a standing ovation when Wallace pulled him with runners on second and third.
Cameron Hill came on in relief and struck out Dustin Fowler to make sure the lead stuck.
“Rob was outstanding,” Wallace said. “We felt good going into this one with him on the mound and he just kept it moving.
“He kept us off the field. We were able to put up a couple threats and came through with a couple big hits, and that has a lot to do with the starting pitcher going in there and giving us three-up, three-down.”
Louis Head, who hasn’t given up a run since July 27, came on in the ninth to pick up the save. He allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two, ending it on a punchout of All-Star Tyler Wade.
Things now transfer to Arm & Hammer Park, where the Ducks are hoping for that storybook ending.
“Whenever you’re at home, you want to take them all,” Kaminsky said. “We took them all. Things are looking good right now. We need one more. Hopefully, we can finish in three.”
Notes
• Indians catcher Yan Gomes got a night off behind the plate and was used as a designated hitter. He went 1-for-2 with a run. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday.
• Gomes was hit by a pitch on the forearm in the fifth inning and was being evaluated for precautionary reasons after the game.
• J.P. Feyereisen, who was also part of the Miller trade, faced his former team. The right-hander walked three and struck out three in 1⅓ innings.