Aeros Clinch Playoff Spot, Set Record
August 27, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
BOWIE, MD - Akron clinched its fifth straight trip to the post-season and also set a new Eastern League record by winning at least 80 games for the fifth straight year with an 11-5 triumph over Bowie before 1,612 fans at Prince George's Stadium Thursday night. The Aeros improved to 80-51 and finished 4-4 on this eight-game road trip, while the Baysox slipped to 66-64. The Aeros also became the first team in EL history (dating to 1923) to record five straight 80-win seasons, breaking a tie with the 1976-79 West Haven Yankees.
Lonnie Chisenhall had a huge night offensively and started early, hammering the first pitch of the second inning deep to right field for a solo home run that tied the contest at 2-2. Akron added a run later in the inning to take the lead, and Chisenhall then doubled the margin to 4-2 with his second home run of the night in the top of the third. Bowie pulled within a run in the bottom of the third, but Akron got a key insurance run in the top of the fifth as Beau Mills raced home on a shallow sacrifice fly to left by Carlos Rivero to put the Aeros in front 5-3.
Akron then pulled away for good in the top of the sixth as Chisenhall drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 6-3, and Jerad Head delivered the back-breaker with a two-run double to put the Aeros ahead by five.
Josh Tomlin (13-9) earned the win with five efficient innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked two and struck out seven, and became just the seventh player in franchise history to win at least 13 games in a season. Bowie's Fredy Deza (5-6) took the loss, surrendering five runs and eight hits in four innings. Akron pounded out 15 hits in the game, with Head, Mills, and Jose Constanza all collecting three apiece. Constanza also tied a team season-high with four runs scored, while Carlos Santana drove in his 89th run of the year with a sac fly in the ninth and is now tied for third on the franchise's single-season list.
The Aeros return home Friday night to host the Binghamton Mets in the opener of a four-game series starting at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Scott Barnes (1-1, 7.36 ERA) will start for Akron while Binghamton counters with southpaw Eric Niesen (2-6, 5.60 ERA). Fans will want to stick around after the game as well for another fireworks spectacular at Canal Park, courtesy of BFG Federal Credit Union. 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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