EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Fall to Curve Again, Lose 5-3

Published on May 25, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The first-place Altoona Curve won Tuesday for the seventh consecutive contest and defeated the Aeros 5-3 in front of 2,020 fans at Canal Park. The loss was yet another for Akron at home this season while the Curve continued their recent mastery of the defending Eastern League Champions. Despite the continuation of a pair of long hitting streak for Akron batters, the Aeros dropped to 18-27 on the season while Altoona improved to 29-16.

The Curve scored first against Akron starting pitcher Eric Berger with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. EL batting leader Alex Presley started the frame with an infield single and catcher Hector Gimenez followed promptly with a two-run homer to left field. Akron's John Drennen tripled to lead off the next half inning, but was out at home on a rundown after a grounder by Cristo Arnal. On that same play however, Arnal advanced to second base on the throw and later moved to third on a passed ball. Tim Fedroff then plated the speedy second baseman on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 2-1 after three innings.

Altoona's offense quickly responded to the Aeros rally as a Miles Durham two-run single in the fourth widened the lead to three. Jared Goedert began the Aeros fourth with a double and a Matt McBride groundout pushed him over to third base. On an unusual ensuing play, Curve starter Rudy Owens then balked Goedert home as Akron remained within striking distance at 4-2.

Berger continued to struggle however, as an RBI single by Curve DH Matt Hague in the fifth brought the score to 5-2. Akron seemed to have a major comeback opportunity in the eighth as Curve reliever Ronald Uviedo loaded the bases with nobody out in the inning. Unfortunately, Uviedo then induced a pop out to Fedroff, forced the second out on a one-run-scoring fielder's choice by Jerad Head and finished the inning on a Goedert fly out. No Aero reached base in the ninth as Altoona won for the fifth straight time at Canal Park in 2010.

Owens improved to 4-2 on the season with the win, allowing just two hits in seven efficient innings for the white-hot Curve. Berger (1-3) took the loss as he permitted five runs and nine hits in five innings with his ERA increasing to 8.51 for the year. Yet again, the Akron bullpen remained impressive as Connor Graham and Steven Wright shut out Altoona in the final four frames.

On his 25th birthday, Goedert managed to improve upon his career-best hitting streak with his fourth-inning double. The hit extended his hot streak, the longest active mark in Double-A, to 14 consecutive games. Drennen also aided his hitting streak with his triple although Akron only produced three hits total on the night. In the ten games between these two teams this season, Altoona is now out-scoring the Aeros 55-25.

Akron will look to recover Wednesday night in game three of this series at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. It's the final night game of this seven-game home stand as Aeros lefty Kelvin De La Cruz (1-2, 5.40 ERA) matches up against hot-shot Curve prospect Bryan Morris (1-0, 1.69 ERA). It will be another Family Pack Wednesday at Canal Park as fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks, and four bags of chips for just $48 dollars. Tomorrow night's game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Sports Radio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 25, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central