EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Earn Split, Hold Off B-Mets 10-7

August 31, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros squandered a six-run lead but never trailed, striking for two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to defeat Binghamton 10-7 before 9,012 fans at Canal Park Monday night. Akron, which split its third straight series, improved to 82-53 while the Mets fell to 51-82.

Jeanmar Gomez worked out of a jam in the top of the first by stranding runners at second and third, and the Aeros went right to work in support of him in the bottom of the frame. Jose Constanza drew a four-pitch walk to start the rally, moved to second on a single by Cristo Arnal, and was then waved home when Emmanuel Garcia bobbled Carlos Santana's base hit to left field (Constanza had originally stopped at third). Beau Mills grounded out, but Matt McBride walked to load the bases and Jerad Head plated all three runners with a triple to right-center to put Akron in front 4-0.

Santana pushed the margin to five runs with a two-out RBI single in the second, and Head then tripled again in the third and scored on Carlos Rivero's sacrifice fly.

Binghamton came roaring back in the fourth however, striking for five runs off Aeros starter Jeanmar Gomez. Ike Davis led off the inning with a solo home run, and an infield single and a broken-bat base hit put runners at first and second. Zach Lutz flied out, but Jose Coronado and Garcia came through with back-to-back RBI single to make it 6-3. A walk to Salvador Paniagua loaded the bases, and although Gomez recovered to strike out Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Ruben Tejada muscled a two-run single to shallow right field to bring the Mets within a run and knock Gomez from the game. Binghamton then tied the game in the sixth when Nieuwenhuis tripled and scored on another flare from Tejada.

Akron had the answers however, as Constanza sparked the go-ahead rally in the bottom of the sixth with a one-out single. Arnal then reached on a perfect bunt, and Santana drove the next pitch into the right field corner to score Constanza and put the Aeros back in front by a run. Head was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded later in the inning to make it 8-6, and a bases-loaded walk and a sac fly in the seventh gave Akron some breathing room.

The B-Mets threatened in the eighth and did get the potential tying run to the plate, but left-hander Matt Meyer got three huge outs in the inning before giving way to closer Josh Judy for a perfect ninth.

Erik Stiller (8-3) earned the win in relief for the Aeros, while Binghamton starter Mike Antonini (7-4) took the loss. Judy's save was his ninth in 10 chances. Constanza had a spectacular night, reaching base all five times, tying a season-high with four runs scored, and also stealing his 41st base of the year to tie Eider Torres' team record. Santana had three hits and three RBI and is now four RBI away from tying Wes Hodges' single-season record of 97 set just last year, while Head went 2-4 with four RBI and drove in nine runs in the series.

The Aeros hit the road Tuesday morning for a quick three-game swing to Altoona, with all three contests starting at 6:35 p.m. Connor Graham (1-3, 5.08 ERA) goes for Akron against the Curve's Yoslan Herrera (11-1, 3.23 ERA) in game one. The game broadcast begins at 6:20 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 31, 2009


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