Aeros walk-off with win
June 23, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Brandon Pinckney drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly as the Aeros once again overcame a huge deficit to win 11-10 in 10 innings before 2,995 fans at Canal Park Monday night. The Aeros improved to 46-28 and the Baysox fell to 41-34.
Bowie put up four runs (all with two outs) in the top of the first off Akron starter Scott Lewis, but the Aeros plated three runs while batting around in the third inning to get back in the game. With one down, Jose Constanza singled and moved to third on a hit-and-run knock by Trevor Crowe. Josh Rodriguez and Bronson Sardinha then followed with RBI singles to make it 4-2, and Stephen Head laced a bases-loaded RBI hit to right to cut the lead to one.
The Baysox, though, pounded out five runs in the fourth to take a 9-3 lead. Three consecutive singles to lead off the inning scored one run, and with one down and the bases loaded, reliever Reid Santos walked two straight hitters before Jeff Nettles belted a two-run double to cap the inning. Akron responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth frames to cut the margin to 9-5, and the clubs traded runs in the sixth as the Baysox led 10-6 going into the seventh.
The Aeros cut deeper into the lead with three runs in the eighth inning. A single and two walks loaded the bases with one away for Hodges, and he blooped a two-run single down the right field line to draw Akron within two runs at 10-8. Stephen Head then followed with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 10-9 heading into the ninth.
Bowie went in order against Scott Roehl in the top of the ninth, and Baysox closer Julio Manon had the Aeros down to their final strike before Constanza worked a clutch two-out walk to keep Akron alive. Crowe then sliced a double into the left-field gap, and with manager Mike Sarbaugh waving him home, the speedy Constanza motored around third and slid in safely to tie the game.
Matt Whitney started the winning rally with another walk, this one coming with one away in the bottom of the 10th. Brandon Chaves pinch-ran for Whitney and immediately made an impact, swiping second and third base off a rattled Manon. The Baysox intentionally passed Wyatt Toregas to set up a potential double play, but Pinckney foiled the strategy with his line-drive sacrifice fly to left, as Chaves slid home head-first for the winning run.
Newsom (5-0) picked up the win, tossing a scoreless tenth inning, and Roehl was magnificent in pitching 3.1 innings of one-hit relief to keep the Aeros in the ballgame. Manon (1-4) blew his fifth save of the season and took the loss, going two innings and allowing two runs on one hit while walking five. Lewis was charged with eight runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Crowe, the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week, finished 4-6 with two RBI and a pair of runs while extending his hitting streak to seven games. Sardinha reached base five times on the strength of two hits and three walks, Hodges and Head both went 2-5, and Constanza scored three runs from the ninth spot in the order.
The Aeros continue this homestand with a doubleheader Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. The Aeros will send Steven Wright (1-0, 1.59 ERA) to the hill against Bowie's Jason Berken (4-3, 4.68 ERA) in game one, while starters for game two have not been announced. It is a Two-for-Tuesday at Canal Park, with two-for-one deals on tickets and select concessions all night long. 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.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2008
- Aeros walk-off with win - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox fall in wild one - Bowie Baysox
- Long ball victimizes Curve - Altoona Curve
- Mets Homer Thrice, Beat Altoona - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Offense propels Sens to victory - Harrisburg Senators
- 'Wolves Fall 4-3 to Trenton - Erie SeaWolves
- Cats upend New Britian - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Martinez ends streak in loss to Sea Dogs - Connecticut Defenders
- 'Dogs put streak to rest - Portland Sea Dogs
- Rock Cats falter against Fisher Cats - New Britain Rock Cats
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Erie SeaWolves at Trenton Thunder...Game One of Four...Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Baysox To Host Women's Weekend - Bowie Baysox
- Crowe Named Player of the Week - Akron RubberDucks
- Martinez Named Pitcher of the Week - Connecticut Defenders
- Eastern League Announces Bank Of America Weekly Award Winners - EL1
- Aeros and Indians Extend PDC - Akron RubberDucks
- Martinez Named Pitcher of the Week - Connecticut Defenders
- Rock Cats 7th Homestand of 2008 Starts Tonight - New Britain Rock Cats
- Baysox, Phillies Visit Canal Park - Bowie Baysox
- Baysox Drop Sixth Straight To Curve - Bowie Baysox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
