Aeros Earn Spot in EL Finals with 5-2 Victory over Baysox
Published on September 10, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
The Akron Aeros completed an improbable comeback Sunday night, knocking off the Bowie Baysox, 5-2, and winning their third consecutive game to capture the Eastern League Western Division Series, three games to two.
After losing the first two games of the series in Maryland, the Aeros posted back-to-back wins on Friday and Saturday to force a decisive, fifth game on Sunday evening. The Aeros, who won 46 games at home during the regular season, jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first two innings, and held on to stun the Baysox and earn a spot in the EL Finals.
The Aeros will take on the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) in the best-of-five championship series, beginning on Tuesday evening at 7:05. Akron will host the first two games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday, also at 7:05. Trenton will host game three on Friday evening at 7:05, as well as games four and five, if necessary.
Akron will be making its ninth appearance in the league finals in franchise history. The two teams have a significant playoff history, meeting twice before in the finals. Trenton defeated the Aeros in both previous meetings in 2007, and 2008.
Akron has won three EL titles-2003, 2005, and 2009.
On Sunday, the Aeros (82-59, 3-2) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Bowie starter Tim Bascom (0-1). A leadoff walk to Jordan Henry set the stage for the rally, as Henry stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Chun Chen's infield single. After a walk to Jesus Aguilar and another groundout, Adam Abraham laced a two-out, two-run single to center to make it 3-0.
Akron added another run in the second on a double by Davis Stoneburner and an RBI single by Tyler Holt.
That was plenty for Akron pitching, who led all of Double-A baseball with a 3.03 ERA in the regular season. After a one-inning rehab start by Tribe righty Carlos Carrasco, the Aeros sent Brett Brach to the mound for his playoff debut, and the righthander did not disappoint. Brach (1-0) worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs. He did not issue a walk and struck out four. Including his final two starts of the regular season, Brach has won three straight games, and has allowed just two runs over his last 19 2/3 innings.
After the Baysox (78-64, 2-3) pulled to within 4-1 on a sacrifice fly by Ty Kelly in the sixth, Chen delivered an RBI single to score Holt in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead back to 5-1.
Brach gave up a solo homer to Josh Barfield in the eighth, and left the game in favor of Rob Bryson who struck out Kelly with a man on base to end the eithth. Hector Rondon worked the ninth for Akron, polishing off the series in 1-2-3 fashion for his first playoff save.
Abraham was 3-3 in the game, including a triple in the third, but left the game in the sixth after dislocating the pinky finger on his right hand while diving into first base on a pick-off attempt. His availability for Tuesday's game is unclear.
The Aeros will host games one and two of the best-of-five championship series at Canal Park on Tuesday, Sept. 11th, and Wednesday, Sept. 12th. Both games will begin at 7:05. In the series opener on Tuesday, RHP Brett Marshall (0-1, 5.14) will start for Trenton against Akron RHP Paolo Espino (0-1, 8.31). All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151.
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Infield Outfitters, the official Aeros team shop, is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the month of September.
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Eastern League Stories from September 10, 2012
- Championship Series Preview - Trenton Thunder
- Aeros Earn Spot in EL Finals with 5-2 Victory over Baysox - Akron RubberDucks
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