Akron RubberDucks Throw Combined No-Hitter

Five pitchers combine for sixth no-hitter in franchise history

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of blue, green, and orange, depicting the abstract shapes and planes of a baseball game, without any recognizable figures or details.A cubist interpretation of the Akron RubberDucks' combined no-hitter, capturing the dynamic energy and multiple perspectives of the game.Cleveland Today

The Akron RubberDucks, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, threw a combined no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Sunday. Starter Matt 'Tugboat' Wilkinson pitched five perfect innings, and four relievers - Matt Jachec, Magnus Ellerts, Jay Driver, and Jack Carey - each added a scoreless inning to complete the no-hit bid. The RubberDucks scored all the runs they needed in the first inning on a double by Alfonsin Rosario.

Why it matters

No-hitters are rare feats in professional baseball, and this is the sixth in Akron's franchise history. The RubberDucks' no-hit performance comes just days after a near no-hitter by the Guardians' Parker Messick, highlighting the strong pitching talent in the Guardians' minor league system.

The details

Wilkinson started the game and pitched five perfect innings, striking out six batters. The four relievers that followed - Jachec, Ellerts, Driver, and Carey - each threw one scoreless inning, though they did combine to issue six walks to keep the game interesting. Akron scored the only run they needed in the first inning on Rosario's double, and added two more runs later in the game.

  • On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the Akron RubberDucks threw the no-hitter against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

The players

Matt 'Tugboat' Wilkinson

The starting pitcher for the Akron RubberDucks, who threw five perfect innings to begin the no-hitter.

Matt Jachec

One of the four Akron relievers who combined to complete the no-hitter.

Magnus Ellerts

One of the four Akron relievers who combined to complete the no-hitter.

Jay Driver

One of the four Akron relievers who combined to complete the no-hitter.

Jack Carey

One of the four Akron relievers who combined to complete the no-hitter.

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What they’re saying

“I had no idea I was perfect after five innings. I just made pitches when I needed to and put myself in position to get people out.”

— Matt Wilkinson, Starting Pitcher

What’s next

The Akron RubberDucks will look to build on this no-hitter as they continue their season in the Double-A Eastern League.

The takeaway

This combined no-hitter showcases the strong pitching talent in the Guardians' minor league system, with multiple hurlers coming together to achieve this rare feat. It also highlights the RubberDucks' history of no-hit performances, as this is the sixth in the franchise's history.