EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Can't Complete Sweep, Fall 3-2 in 10

Published on August 13, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


NORWICH, CT - Eddy Martinez-Esteve delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning and Connecticut clipped Akron 3-2 in front of 2,869 fans at Dodd Stadium Thursday night. The Aeros fell to 73-45 but still took two of three in the series from the Northern Division-leading Defenders (67-50).

Connecticut opened the scoring in this one, jumping on Aeros starter Eric Berger in the bottom of the first inning. Mike McBryde singled on Berger's second offering of the game, and Brad Boyer then cranked a two-run homer to center field just four pitches later to put the home team ahead 2-0.

That was all the Defenders would get against Berger however, as the left-hander did not allow another hit for the remainder of his six-inning stint. Akron got on the board in the top of the third when Matt McBride delivered a clutch two-out RBI single, and then tied the game in the fifth. A throwing error by Connecticut shortstop Brandon Crawford put Jerad Head aboard to start the inning, and Carlos Rivero followed with a base hit to center. Jared Goedert then put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Cristo Arnal tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI groundout to second.

Both clubs missed opportunities to take the lead in the latter stages, as the Aeros stranded runners and first and second in the seventh and Connecticut left runners at second and third to end the eighth. The Defenders threatened again in the bottom of the ninth as Bobby Felmy led off with a pinch-hit single, but reliever Neil Wagner recovered to strike out Jackson Williams looking to push the game into extras.

Akron almost took the lead in the top of the 10th, as Arnal opened the inning with a double down the right field line and moved to third on McBride's sacrifice. Nick Weglarz then drew a walk to put runners on the corners, and Connecticut opted to intentionally walk Carlos Santana to load the bases and set up a potential force at the plate. Sure enough, the decision paid off when Beau Mills hit a liner to first that Brett Pill handled and fired home for the second out of the inning, and Lonnie Chisenhall then bounced into a fielder's choice for the final out.

After working out of trouble in the ninth, Wagner was not as fortunate in the 10th. He got McBryde on a fly ball to right field to open the inning, but then walked Boyer and Pill to set the stage for Esteve's winner.

Defenders reliever Dan Runzler (2-0) earned the win with two shutout innings of relief, while Wagner fell to 0-3 with the loss. Santana paced the Akron offense with two hits and two walks and Rivero finished 2-4, but overall the Aeros went just 1-13 with runners in scoring position.

Akron's six-game road trip continues Friday night in New Britain with game one of a three-game series against the Rock Cats getting underway at 7:05 p.m. Jeanmar Gomez (10-3, 3.18 ERA) will take the hill for the Aeros opposite New Britain's Deolis Guerra (4-2, 6.48 ERA). 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.

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Eastern League Stories from August 13, 2009


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