House, Hernandez Turn in Clutch Efforts in 4-3 Aeros Win
Published on August 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Akron, OH - Akron's T.J. House pitched into the seventh inning to earn his eighth win of season, and catcher Michel Hernandez delivered a timely RBI double as the Aeros edged the Trenton Thunder, 4-3, Saturday night at Canal Park.
The Aeros (77-55) snapped a two-game skid and clinched a playoff spot, as they cannot finish lower than 2nd in the division. They lowered the magic number for winning the EL Western Division title to five. Second-place Bowie slipped by Harrisburg, 5-4, to stay within 5 =C21/2 of the Aeros.
After giving up four runs in one inning in the shortest start of his career last Monday at Erie, House (8-4) pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed only six hits and three runs to earn the win. He walked two and fanned four. House's lengthy outing was welcome news for a shorthanded Aeros bullpen.
The lead changed hands twice in the fourth inning. House issued a lead-off walk and then gave up a two-run homer to Trenton DH David Adams, as the Thunder assumed a 2-1 lead. Akron forged ahead in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded, two-run single by Ryan Rohlinger to take a 3-2 lead.
The Thunder (75-58) notched another run off House in the top of the sixth on an RBI base hit by Addison Maruszak to tie the game at 3-3.
It was in the bottom of the sixth when Hernandez delivered the game's decisive blow. After Trenton's Shaeffer Hall (9-9) issued a pair of walks, he faced Hernandez with two outs. The veteran catcher, who has been Akron's starting catcher of late due to a wrist injury to Roberto Perez, laced a 1-1 pitch from Hall into the left field corner to chase home Jesus Aguilar for a 4-3 Akron lead. It was Hernandez's 13th RBI of the season and his first since July 15th.
House got the first two outs in the seventh, but then gave up a pair of singles. He left in favor of righty Shawn Armstrong, who got Adams on a grounder to first to end the threat. Armstrong then tossed a scoreless eighth, and turned things over to closer Preston Guilmet in the ninth. Guilmet retired the side in order for his 22nd save.
Akron's Chun Chen belted a solo homer off Hall in the second inning. It was Chen's fifth of the year. He finished 2-4 on the night and is hitting .321, good for second in the EL. Chen is hoping to become the fifth player in franchise history to win a batting crown.
The Aeros and Thunder will conclude the series and homestand on Sunday afternoon at 1:05, in the final regular season home game. RHP Brett Marshall (13-6, 3.24) will start for the Thunder, while RHP Toru Murata (2-1, 3.13) will make the start for the Aeros. All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151.
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