EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Falter Late in 6-4 Defeat

Published on July 11, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


ERIE, PA - Record setting nights from Matt McBride and Ryan Edell weren't enough for the Aeros, as the bullpen blew a three-run lead with four outs to play and Erie rallied with five runs in the bottom of the eighth to claim a 6-4 victory before 3,743 fans at Jerry Uht Park Saturday night. The SeaWolves improved to 48-40 overall and won for the seventh time in nine meetings against the Aeros this season. Akron lost for the fifth time in six games and sits at 56-33.

The Aeros opened the scoring with run in the top of the first, as McBride collected the first of his four hits with a two-out double to left-center and scored on an RBI single from Beau Mills. The duo combined again in the third, as McBride and Mills socked consecutive home runs to push the Akron lead to 3-0. It marked the first back-to-back blasts since Nick Weglarz and Carlos Santana did so June 24th against Trenton.

Erie got on the board with Ryan Strieby's solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, but Akron pushed the lead back to three runs in the top of the eighth when John Drennen scored on a throwing error by Santo de Leon.

Everything went wrong in the bottom of the frame however, as the Aeros couldn't get the final out of the inning until it was too late. Zach Putnam retired Cale Iorg to start things, and after Alex Avila and Strieby singled Putnam came back to strike out Casper Wells for the second out. Matt Meyer then came on in relief and walked Deik Scram in a lefty-lefty matchup to load the bases, and the Aeros immediately turned to right-hander Neil Wagner out of the bullpen. He fared no better however, surrendering a two-run single to de Leon before Ron Bourquin socked a three-run homer to right field to put the SeaWolves ahead to stay.

Cody Satterwhite (3-5) got the win in relief for Erie, while Wagner (0-2) blew the save and suffered the loss. Robbie Weinhardt gave up a double and a walk in the ninth but retired Carlos Rivero on a fielder's choice to end the game and record his first save of the season. The defeat saddled Aeros starter Edell with yet another no-decision, despite a terrific effort. The left-hander limited Erie to just a run on four hits over 5.2 innings, walking one and striking out a career-high 10. It was the first 10-strikeout performance for Akron since Scott Lewis fanned 10 August 4th of last season at Altoona.

McBride paced the offense with his first four-hit day in an Akron uniform, finishing 4-5 with three doubles, a homer, two runs scored and an RBI. He was the first Aero to have three doubles in a game this season, and his 10 total bases were a new season-high for the club. It was his first four-hit game since May 7th when he was playing for Class A Kinston. Veteran catcher Armando Camacaro recorded three hits while Mills and Jerad Head notched two each, but the Aeros still stranded 13 runners on base and went just 2-14 with runners in scoring position.

These two clubs are back at it Sunday afternoon for a 1:05 p.m. tilt, with Akron sending southpaw Michael Tejera (0-1, 13.50 ERA) to the hill against Jonah Nickerson (6-6, 5.12 ERA) of the SeaWolves. The game broadcast begins at 12:50 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 July 11, 2009


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