EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Have Wright Stuff in 4-3 Win over Curve

Published on June 22, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Altoona, PA - The Akron Aeros started a four-game weekend series in Altoona on a winning note Friday night, as Steven Wright struck out seven Curve hitters in a 4-3 Akron win at People's Natural Gas Field.

Wright (6-4) pitched 6 2/3 innings, scattering four hits, and used his fluttering knuckleball to match his season-high of seven strikeouts. He allowed a solo homer to Quincy Latimore in the third inning, and then departed in the seventh with two men on, two outs and a 4-1 lead.

Both of those runners scored off Akron reliever Tyler Sturdevant, who was making his initial appearance of the season for Akron after being called up earlier in the day from Class-A Carolina. Sturdevant allowed a run-scoring single to Evan Chambers and then uncorked a wild pitch for another run to make it 4-3. Robbie Grossman then struck out to end the inning, and Sturdevant worked a scorless eighth to hold the lead.

Aeros closer Preston Guilmet pitched the ninth for Akron, and despite giving up a two-out double, held on for his ninth save.

The Aeros (46-27) are 8-1 against the Curve this season, and have won the last seven meetings.

Akron jumped ahead to stay in the third inning against Curve starter Brandon Cumpton (7-6). Chun Chen laced a run-scoring single, and Nick Weglarz followed with a two-run double to left-center to make it 3-0. Weglarz increased his team-leading RBI total to 32.

A sacrifice fly by Jeremie Tice in the sixth made it 4-1, and ended up being a key run in light of Altoona's late rally. Tice was making his Double-A debut after also being called up from Carolina earlier Friday. Tice also singled in his first at-bat, and went 1-3 on the night.

One of the top stories in minor league baseball this season due to his emerging prowess with the knuckleball, Wright halted a personal two-game losing streak, although he pitched well in both of those losses. He entered Friday's game against the Curve with the second best ERA in the Eastern League. Following Friday's effort, his ERA now stands at 1.99.

The Aeros and Curve (33-38) will meet again on Saturday night at 6:00. Game two of the series will feature a pitching matchup of RHP Brett Brach (2-2, 3.29) for Akron and RHP Tim Alderson (3-3, 3.38) for the Curve. All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 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 June 22, 2012


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