EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Keep Hot Streak Going

Published on June 14, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros dominated the Portland Sea Dogs for the second day in a row Sunday afternoon, winning by the final score of 8-0 with 4,862 in attendance at Canal Park. Pounding the Sea Dogs pitching staff again, Akron collected nine hits, including a season-high tying five doubles, as they improved to 40-21 with their sixth win in eight contests. Portland dropped back to .500 at 31-31 with the loss.

The blowout began in the bottom of the first, when Sea Dogs starting pitcher Ryne Lawson hit Jerad Head with a pitch before walking Carlos Santana and Beau Mills to load the bases. Matt McBride, who hit his first home run as an Aero yesterday, then blasted a 1-2 pitch on to the boardwalk in left field for the second Akron grand slam of the season and a quick 4-0 lead.

After facing all nine Aeros hitters in the first frame, Lawson walked his fourth batter to lead off the second inning. The speedy Jose Constanza then advanced to third base on a pair of groundouts, and a two-out RBI single from Mills brought him home. Another run came around in the fourth on a pair of doubles from catcher Armando Camacaro and Santana, as the Aeros pounced out to the 6-0 advantage. Akron then capped the scoring with two more in the fifth for the final margin.

Starter Hector Rondon, along with relievers Erik Stiller and Matt Meyer combined to hold the Sea Dogs to only two hits, marking both the second shutout this home stand and the second time the Aeros held their opponents to two hits or less. Rondon delivered four innings of one-hit baseball with three strikeouts, before reaching his pitch limit, and Stiller (4-3) earned his third straight victory with three more innings of one-hit ball, also picking up three strikeouts. The left-handed Meyer then sealed the deal in the eighth and ninth, striking out one while walking a batter as Akron improved to 36-6 when scoring three or more runs this season. Lawson (1-5) took the loss for Portland, allowing all eight runs on eight hits with five walks in five innings.

McBride was the only Aero with a multi-hit performance on the day, while seven players registered exactly one base knock. McBride was the star for the second game in a row, after just returning yesterday from left knee injury that kept him out for a week. He finished 2-4 with a double and the grand slam in the first inning, and has four extra-base hits in his last two games. Camacaro, Santana, Rivero and Head all gathered a double as well, although Head left in the eighth inning after being hit on the wrist with a pitch.

The Aeros now hit the road for a seven-game road trip starting Tuesday with a game at 7:05 p.m. in Manchester, NH against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Left-hander Scott Lewis (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is expected to make his first rehab start for Akron this season as he continues his way back up to Cleveland while recovering from strained left forearm, and will match up with New Hampshire southpaw Luis Perez (4-5, 3.52) The game broadcast begins at 6:50 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 June 14, 2009


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