Aeros Swept Again, Fall 3-2 in Finale
August 24, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
NEW BRITAIN, CT - The Rock Cats swept Akron for the second time in a week Sunday, holding off another late rally to win 3-2 before 6,015 fans at New Britain Stadium. New Britain, which took three from the Aeros last weekend at Canal Park and won all three games in this series by identical scores, improved to 58-74 while the Aeros slipped to 75-60. Harrisburg also won Sunday, meaning Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot remained at three.
The offense had a tough time right from the start for the Aeros, as Josh Rodriguez tripled on the second pitch of the game yet was left stranded at third base. New Britain then tallied twice in the second off starter Kevin Dixon, as three straight singles to open the frame led to the first run and Matt Tolbert's RBI groundout made it 2-0.
Wes Hodges got Akron on the board in the sixth with a solo home run, his second of the series and 16th of the year. The Cats responded in the bottom of the inning however, as Danny Valencia hooked a solo shot just inside the left field foul pole to push the margin back to two runs at 3-1.
The Aeros made things interesting in the ninth as Brandon Chaves' RBI bloop single down the right field line scored Nathan Panther and advanced pinch-runner Brandon Pinckney to third with two outs, but reliever Jose Mijares made a great play on Rodriguez's liner up the middle for the final out.
Jay Rainville (9-9) earned the win with six excellent innings, allowing just one run while striking out a season-high 11. Dixon (8-11) took the loss despite turning in his team-leading 15th quality start of the year. He held New Britain to three runs in seven innings. Mijares earned the save, his first of the year. Chaves led the offense with a 3-4 performance, while Rodriguez and Hodges had two hits each.
The Aeros are off Monday before starting their final homestand of the regular season Tuesday, opening a three-game set with the Altoona Curve on Schools of the Year Night presented by the Ohio Lottery. J.D. Martin (10-3, 2.64 ERA) will go for the Aeros against Altoona's Derek Hankins (1-10, 4.88 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
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