EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Hold Off Defenders in Series Opener

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


NORWICH, CT - Josh Tomlin turned in his team-leading 13th quality start and the Aeros broke the game open with five runs between the fifth and sixth innings to claim a 6-4 triumph over Connecticut before 2,410 fans at Dodd Stadium Tuesday night. Akron improved to 72-44 with the win, moving back to a season-high 28 games over the .500 mark. The Defenders dropped to 66-49, and to just 26-25 at home.

The Aeros opened the scoring in the top of the second, as Carlos Santana drove an 0-2 pitch off his shoe-tops and into right-center field for a leadoff triple. Carlos Rivero would bring him home three batters later with an RBI infield single, before Connecticut answered in the bottom of the fourth. Eddy Martinez-Esteve doubled with two gone and Brandon Crawford followed with an RBI two-bagger on Tomlin's next pitch to tie it at 1-1.

Akron took the lead for good in the top of the fifth however, striking for three runs despite only one base hit. Two walks and a fielding error by Defenders starter Jesse English loaded the bases with one away, and Santana then ripped a two-run double into the left field corner to put the Aeros ahead at 3-1. Matt McBride then tacked on his 51st RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to center field on the next pitch, scoring Nick Weglarz and making it 4-1.

The Defenders got two of the runs right back in the bottom of the inning on run-scoring groundouts by Brock Bond and Brad Boyer, but Akron added two key insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Walks to Rivero and Jared Goedert opened the inning, and Cristo Arnal advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Jose Constanza then bounced a two-run single past Boyer at third base and down the left field line, double the margin to 6-3.

Mike Mooney tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly to open the bottom of the seventh and bring Connecticut within two runs, but that was as close as the home side would get. The Defenders did get the potential tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth innings against Akron reliever Carlton Smith, but the right-hander kept Connecticut at bay in both frames. Brett Pill reached on an infield single with one down in the eighth but was erased as Smith induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, and Crawford was then stranded at third base after opening the bottom of the ninth with a double.

Tomlin (11-8) became just the second 11-game winner in the Eastern League with his seventh quality start in his last nine outings, holding the Defenders to four runs (three earned) and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out five, brining him to an even 100 Ks on the year. English (7-7) took the loss, surrendering five runs (three earned) and five hits in five innings. He walked five and struck out only one. Smith recorded the final six outs for his third save of the season.

Santana paced the offense with a three-hit night, driving in two runs and finishing a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Rivero went 2-3, while Constanza picked up two RBI and also stole his 32nd base.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, as left-hander Scott Barnes (0-0, 2.13 ERA in three starts for Class A Kinston) will make his Akron debut opposite Connecticut's Daryl Maday (5-3, 3.44 ERA). 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 11, 2009


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