EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Blank Phillies, Secure 6-0 Victory

Published on July 30, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros continued their recent success at home Friday night with an all-around performance in a 6-0 victory against the Reading Phillies. A crowd of 7,277 fans on Fireworks Friday witnessed Akron win at Canal Park for the 12th time in 13 games, highlighted by six shutout innings from lefty starter Kelvin De La Cruz. Coupled with a loss by the Altoona Curve Friday, the third-place Aeros (56-48) are now only 3.5 games away from the Western Division lead and the Phillies are 51-53 on the season.

Akron's scoring began early as leadoff center fielder Jordan Henry singled to left-center in the bottom of the first. Henry promptly stole second base, advanced to third on a fly out and scored on another sacrifice fly by third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall.

The lead jumped to 2-0 in the second inning on a towering solo home run from shortstop Carlos Rivero, just to the right of the left field foul pole. Reading starter Ty Taubenheim allowed another run in the third as Rivero recorded a sac fly to left to score Jason Kipnis.

As De La Cruz kept the Phillies offense in check, the blowout continued in the bottom of the fifth. Chisenhall singled to left and moved to second on a groundout before scoring on a botched play by third baseman Cody Overbeck. Akron left fielder John Drennen then doubled down the right field line and a wild pitch plated Rivero to make it a 5-0 edge.

Reliever John Ennis replaced Taubenheim in the sixth but suffered the same fate despite only having a runner on first base with two outs. The right-hander then hit both Chisenhall and Jerad Head with pitches to load the bases while new relief pitcher Tyson Brumment allowed an RBI infield single to first baseman Beau Mills.

That hit provided for the final margin of the night as relievers Chen-Chang Lee and Connor Graham combined for three shutout innings on one hit for the Aeros.

De La Cruz (4-5) earned his third consecutive win, delivering six spotless innings with seven strikeouts against only three hits and three walks. The left-hander, who turns 22 years old Sunday, improved to 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts in July and his recent winning streak follows a 10-game stretch with no victories. Taubenheim (3-2) took the loss in permitting the first five runs (three earned) in five innings on six hits and three walks.

Eight of the nine Akron batters recorded a single hit but Rivero led the way with a pair of runs scored and two RBI. His home run was his fourth of the season, second against Reading, and the pitching staff's shutout was their fourth in the month of July.

Tomorrow is a Super Saver Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park as this four-game series continues between the Aeros and the R-Phils. Fans can purchase tickets for only $7 and once inside the stadium, can take advantage of $1 hot dogs, $1 12-oz. draft beers and soft drinks, $1 popcorn and a 10% discount at the Infield Outfitters team store.

Akron just announced that left-hander Scott Barnes (5-8, 5.20 ERA) will start Saturday night against Reading righty J.C. Ramirez (2-2, 4.59 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Saturday's radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from July 30, 2010


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