EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Drop Series Opener at Richmond

August 13, 2013 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Richmond, VA - The Akron Aeros losing streak is becoming very similar to the lush, green Virginia kudzu. It just keeps on growing.

The Aeros dropped their fifth straight game, losing 7-6, on Tuesday night to the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the opener of a three-game series at The Diamond. The Aeros left 11 runners on base, including five in the final two innings.

With 20 games left to play in the regular season, the Aeros (56-65) are 7 =C21/2 games out of the EL West wild card spot, currently held by Erie, who lost at Bowie, 4-1, on Tuesday. Richmond, however, pulled to within 3 =C21/2 of the SeaWolves, to stay very relevant in the playoff picture.

Akron held an early 3-0 lead when they struck for four consecutive hits off starter Chris Gloor (9-5) in the second inning. Giovanny Ushela, Alex Monsalve, and Matt Lawson each had RBI base hits in the inning. The entire rally came after the first two batters of the inning were retired.

The Squirrels wasted no time in coming back, however, as they rallied for three in the bottom of the second off Akron starter Brett Brach (7-9). Then in the third, they took the lead for good when Brach walked two hitters, and with two out, a throwing error by Jose Ramirez allowed both runners to score to give Richmond a 5-3 lead.

Ramirez was playing his first career game at third base. He fielded a grounder by Juan Ciriaco deep behind the bag. His long throw toward first was low and skipped past first baseman Jesus Aguilar, allowing Mark Minnicozzi and Jarrett Parker to score for Richmond. Ciriaco was credited with an infield hit on the play.

Gloor worked through 6 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, but still managed to earn his ninth win of the year overall and his second against the Aeros. He scattered nine hits and struck out three. He allowed a solo home run to Matt Lawson in the fifth inning.

The Aeros tried to rally against the Richmond bullpen, pulling to within 7-6. Jesus Aguilar drove in his 90th run of the season with a bloop single in the seventh, and Ramirez drove in a run with a base hit to left in the eighth. The bases were left loaded in the eighth. In the ninth, with two outs, Tyler Holt walked, and went to third on a single by Urshela, but closer Edwin Quirarte retired Monsalve on a pop-up to end the game.

The Aeros have lost all four games on the road trip so far, and are now nine games under the .500 mark for the first time this season.

The Aeros and Flying Squirrels will play the middle game of the series on Wednesday night at 7:05. RHP Will Roberts (7-8, 4.06) will try and stop the losing streak for Akron, while the Flying Squirrels will counter with RHP Craig Westcott (5-11, 4.12). The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com.

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