Senators Lay Down Law, Whip Aeros, 7-1
June 24, 2013 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Harrisburg, PA - If Monday's game was the final appearance in the Eastern League for Harrisburg's Taylor Jordan, it will be just fine with the Akron Aeros.
The Washington Nationals prospect was pulled after five innings in the series opener Monday, but that was plenty of time for the righthander to pick up a 7-1 victory over the Aeros in the opener of a three-game series at Metro Bank Park.
Jordan (7-0) scattered eight hits, but allowed only one run in beating the Aeros for the second time this season. He lowered his ERA to 0.83, and won for the sixth time in his last six starts, and the seventh time overall. He left the game after throwing 65 pitches, 45 of which were strikes. The Senators say Jordan was pulled due to an innings limit associated with his Tommy John surgery, which took place in September of 2011.
Speculation has been rampant, however, that a promotion to the big leagues is imminent for Jordan, who has skyrocketed to elite prospect status since being promoted to the Senators from Class-A in early May. The Nationals just happen to have an opening in their rotation this Saturday after placing Dan Haren on the DL. That would be Jordan's next day to pitch.
The first-place Senators backed Jordan early, getting a solo homer from former-Aero Jerad Head in the first, and three more runs in the third of Akron starter Brett Brach (4-4). In the third, Justin Bloxom crushed a two-run double to highlight a three-run rally which extended the Harrisburg lead to 4-0.
The Aeros (36-39) can and should feel proud that they cobbled together three hits to notch a run off Jordan in the fourth inning. Carlos Moncrief and Quincy Latimore had back-to-back singles with one out. After Jordan got Jake Lowery on a fly ball for the second out, Kyle Bellows, who was activated from the DL Monday, stroked a single to right to score Moncrief. The inning ended on the same play, though, when Latimore was thrown out trying to advance to third.
Jordan has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his nine EL starts this year. Against the Aeros, he has worked 12 innings and allowed two runs. He beat the Aeros, 9-1, at Canal Park on May 28th.
Once Jordan was lifted, pitchers Matt Grace and Neil Holland did their best Taylor Jordan imitations, chipping in two shutout innings apiece.
Brach did not pitch poorly, aside from the mistake pitches to Head and Bloxom. He lasted six inning and only gave up five hits. He walked two and struck out two. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced.
The Senators (41-35) blew the game open with three more runs in the seventh off Kyle Landis, who returned to the mound for the first time since May 7th. Landis missed the last 41 games with a pulled muscle in his back, and was finally activated Sunday. Steven Souza slugged a two-run shot off Landis to help make it 7-1.
The Aeros played their second straight game without shortstop Ronny Rodriguez, who is nursing a sore left hamstring. The loss pushed the Aeros to 4 =C21/2 games behind the front-running Senators.
The Aeros and Senators will continue the series on Tuesday night at 7:00. The Aeros will go with RHP Jordan Cooper (3-3, 3.28), and the Senators will counter with RHP Nate Karns (4-3, 4.41). The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151. Follow the team on Twitter @akronaeros or on Facebook at facebook.com/theakronaeros.
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