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Akron RubberDucks

Altoona Smashes Aeros 11-1 in Series Opener

May 24, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Altoona Curve stole game one Monday of a four-game series as left fielder Alex Presley had a career-night in an 11-1 victory over the Aeros. The Canal Park crowd of 5,423 fans witnessed Presley slam a franchise-record eight RBI and he finished just a single shy of hitting for the cycle. First-place Altoona continued their dominance over Akron on the season with the blowout, improving to 28-16 while the loss dropped the Aeros to 18-26.

Akron left-hander Scott Barnes, named earlier in the day as last week's Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, struggled early and often against the red-hot Curve. Designated hitter and Ohio native Josh Harrison recorded the first RBI of the night in the first inning with a one-out liner to right-center and an infield single by Miles Durham loaded the bases for Presley. He promptly delivered a bases-clearing triple, giving Altoona a quick 4-0 lead after the top of the first frame.

The onslaught continued in the third when a Matt Hague double and a hit by pitch to third baseman Jordy Mercer gave Presley another opportunity to shine. This time the Eastern League batting average leader hit a towering three-run home run to center to extend the lead to 7-0. Harrison then made it an eight-run advantage in the fourth inning with an RBI groundout.

Presley struck again with two runners on and one out in the fifth against Akron reliever Chen-Chang Lee. He smashed a 0-2 offering from Lee deep into the right field bleachers for his second three-run homer of the evening. The blast gave him the all-time Curve record for RBI in a game and marked the first multi-homer game of his professional career.

Third baseman Jared Goedert helped the Aeros manufacture a lone run in the top of the ninth when he led off the frame with a double to center. Matt McBride followed with a single and Beau Mills plated Goedert with a run-scoring fielder's choice to provide for the final margin.

Altoona starter Tim Alderson (3-2) earned the win in a masterful seven-inning performance, holding Akron scoreless and allowing just four hits while striking out five. Barnes (1-5) took the loss in permitting the first eight Altoona runs on eight hits. Bryce Stowell, Zach Putnam and Bryan Price guided the back-end of the Aeros bullpen in combining to deliver 4.1 shutout innings.

Goedert kept his hitting streak alive with his ninth-inning double, giving him the longest active streak in the EL at 13 games in a row. McBride, shortstop Carlos Rivero and left fielder John Drennen all finished with two hits for the Aeros in a game that was never close from the start. The win was Altoona's seventh in nine attempts against Akron this year.

The Aeros will look to rebound and even this four-game series Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Curve. Southpaw Eric Berger (1-2, 8.38 ERA) gets the starting nod as he faces Altoona left-hander Rudy Owens (3-2, 3.35 ERA). It will be another Two for Tuesday at Canal Park as all fans can enjoy an offer of buy one ticket, get one free from KRAFT Singles. There will also be similar specials throughout the night on soft drinks, popcorn, ice cream and hot dogs. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Sports Radio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2010


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