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Trenton Strikes Late to Nip Aeros 7-6

June 24, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1) - Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Trenton evened up their series with the Aeros Wednesday night at Canal Park, as solo home runs in the eighth and ninth propelled the visitors to a 7-6 win in front of 3,792 fans. The loss was just the fourth in 18 games for the Aeros (47-23), who committed a season-high four errors but nonetheless maintained a seven-game lead in the Southern Division. The Thunder improved to 37-33 with their fifth win in six games.

Akron got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning, as Cristo Arnal was the sparkplug. His one-out infield single started the rally, and he then stole second for his fifth swipe of the season (second most on the team). He advanced to third on a groundout by rehabbing Asdrubal Cabrera, and came around to score on a single to center field by Jose Constanza to make it 1-0. Constanza then swiped second to move into scoring position for red-hot Nick Weglarz, and the Canadian made it 2-0 with the second straight two-out RBI single.

The lead would not last for very long, as Trenton struck for five runs in the fifth as a pair of fielding errors aided the Thunder batters. Edwar Gonzalez began the inning with a double down the left field line, and later came around to score on a ground out. Aeros starter Jeanmar Gomez then walked Austin Krum before permitting a pair of RBI singles to give Trenton a 3-2 lead, and a throwing error from Gomez led to the fourth run of the inning before Chris Malec capped the frame with an RBI double.

The drama would not stop there, as Akron put a run on the board in the sixth to trim the deficit to two runs and then retook the lead in the seventh. The Aeros looked to have a run when Cabrera doubled to right, but a strong relay throw from Eduardo Nunez cut down Arnal at the plate. The rally continued however, as Weglarz continued his hot hitting with a monster two-run home run to tie the game and Carlos Santana followed with a solo shot of his own, giving Akron the 6-5 lead and marking the first back-to-back blasts for the Aeros since April 30th against Harrisburg. The Akron bullpen could not hold the lead however, as Gonzalez tied the game in the eighth with a homer to left off Zach Putnam and Jorge Vazquez provided the winning margin with a home run off Vinnie Pestano in the ninth.

Thunder reliever Josh Schmidt (5-1) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning while Pestano (2-2) took the loss, ending a streak of eight saves in as many scoreless appearances. Amaury Sanit stranded the potential tying run in scoring position for his 10th save. Gomez went 4.2 innings and allowed seven hits, five runs (three earned) and two walks while striking out two. Weglarz was the main star offensively, finishing 4-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, and his homer in the seventh marked his second in as many days. Mills and Arnal each racked up a pair of hits, although the Aeros dropped just their second game of the year when leading after seven innings (now 37-2).

This three-game series concludes Thursday afternoon for Camp Day and a special 12:05 start time. Left-hander Ryan Edell (2-0, 2.28 ERA) gets the nod for the Aeros against Trenton's Kanekoa Texeira (5-4, 3.45 ERA) in the sixth and final regular season rematch of the 2007 and 2008 Eastern League Championship Series. A special thanks to ACME Fresh Markets for sponsoring Single Family Pack Specials tomorrow, as you can buy a ticket, a hot dog, a soda and a bag of chips for just $12. The game broadcast begins at 11:50 a.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.


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