Defenders Drop Game 1 To Akron 7-2
September 15, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- The Eastern League Championship Series arrived to Dodd Stadium for the first time in seven years Tuesday night and was greeted by a crowd of 3,449 but unfortunately Connecticut had trouble handling Akron's arsenal in a 7-2 loss in game one of the best of five series.
Akron showed poise and patience as they struck early and often. The Aeros took advantage of a leadoff walk in the second as CF-Jose Constanza drove in SS-Carlos Rivero with a sac fly to center to give Akron the early edge in which they would never relinquish.
The Aeros continued to attack Defenders' starter LHP-Ben Snyder (1-1) in the third. With two outs, Akron strung together four consecutive singles with the last two driving in the previous two by DH-Matt McBride and 3B-Lonnie Chisenhall.
The fourth inning brought more of the same but this time it was a two run homer by 1B-Beau Mills, Aeros led 5-0.
Snyder would leave the ballgame tossing just 3.2 innings of work, allowed five earned runs, walked a pair, hit two and fanned three in the loss.
Connecticut eventually touched the scoreboard in the fifth. With one down SS-Brandon Crawford and 3B-Ramon Castro singled to set runners on the corners. C-Jackson Williams then slapped a two out RBI single to right.
Aeros' starter RHP-Josh Tomlin (2-0) kept the Defenders lineup bewildered allowing two earned runs off of five scattered hits while striking out seven in seven strong innings of work in his second post season win. Tomlin's second mistake came in his last frame, a leadoff homer (3) by DH-Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
When Connecticut seemed to get some momentum Akron would respond. The Aeros mustered to more runs in the seventh and eighth to cap off their 7-2 win.
The Defenders will look to rebound in game two tomorrow at Dodd Stadium at 6:35pm. It will be the final game of 2009 as the series will shift to Akron, OH over the weekend. Game two's matchup will feature Defenders' RHP-Daryl Maday versus Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, Aeros RHP-Jeanmar Gomez (1-0).
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