EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Falter Late, Lose 8-6 to Reading in 10th

Published on July 31, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Akron's perfect streak of late-inning relief ended Saturday night as the Reading Phillies scored in each of the final three frames en route to an 8-6 victory in 10 innings at Canal Park. The loss was the first by the Aeros in 50 games this season when leading after the eighth and four defensive errors hurt the cause on the night in front of 3,925 fans in downtown Akron. Despite the defeat, the Aeros (56-49) remain one game behind the Western Division wild card spot while the Phillies improved to 52-53.

Center fielder Jordan Henry began his impressive night with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first and designated hitter Jason Kipnis followed with an RBI double. Two batters later, first baseman Beau Mills gave Akron a quick 2-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to left.

Back-and-forth scoring ensued as Reading took advantage of solo homers to lead off the second and third innings against Aeros lefty starter Scott Barnes. Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall returned the favor with a towering solo shot of his own that cleared the right field bleachers in the bottom of that third, maintain a one-run advantage for the hosts.

In the fifth, four singles against Barnes tied the score at 3-3 as Michael Spidale plated Freddy Galvis with a one-out base hit to center. Lo and behold, second baseman Cristo Arnal and Henry each singled in the bottom half before Kipnis plated Arnal with another base hit and Henry scored on a misplay at the plate by catcher Tuffy Gosewisch.

Each teams scored yet again in the seventh as Rich Thompson scored on a groundout to cut the deficit to 5-4 before a Henry triple extended the lead again. Unfortunately, the Aeros offense did not respond to three straight rallies that sealed the comeback victory.

Doubles by Kevin Mahar and Gosewisch against Akron reliever Steven Wright brought the margin down to a single run again in the eighth. Closer Omar Aguilar entered the game in the ninth, but allowed two walks while a wild pitch scored Thomspon to force extras.

Aguilar retired the first two batters of the 10th inning but then Galvis reached base on a single and advanced to second on an Arnal error. Thompson and Garcia followed with back-to-back RBI hits to provide for the final margin. Henry dove to catch Mahar's fly ball on the center field warning track, stranding the runners and ending the deciding rally.

Reading reliever Justin De Fratus (1-0) earned the victory with a pair of shutout frames as the Phillies bullpen closed the door. Aguilar (2-4) took the loss for Akron in his first blown save, permitting three runs but just one earned. Barnes had a quality start despite his no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits in his six innings pitched with four strikeouts.

Henry finished 4-for-5 at the plate to increase his batting average to .588 (10-for-17) during this home stand while Kipnis was 3-for-5 with his double. Before tonight's loss, the Aeros led the league with a 49-0 record when leading after eight innings this season.

Family Packs return tomorrow as the Aeros and the Phillies conclude this four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Fans can save $28 on special family packs of four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four soft drinks for only $48. Kids can also run the bases following the game and Cleveland Indians starter Anthony Reyes (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his second rehab start for Akron against Reading's Michael Cisco (2-7, 5.10 ERA). Sunday's radio broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from July 31, 2010


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