EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Offense Falls Flat in 5-3 Loss to B-Mets

Published on June 25, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros failed to capitalize on several offensive opportunities Friday night at Canal Park in a 5-3 defeat against the visiting Binghamton Mets. Post-game fireworks attracted 7,374 fans to downtown Akron for the contest where starting pitcher Alex White surrendered three unearned runs in yet another quality start but catcher Mike Nickeas powered the Binghamton offense. The game broke a tie between the two interdivision rivals, as the B-Mets are now 37-36 on the season while the Aeros are 36-37.

With one out in the bottom of the second, Akron left fielder Tim Fedroff started a rally with a lining triple down the right field line. Fedroff scored three batters later on a single to center by Jordan Henry against Mets starter Mike Antonini for the first run of the game.

Nearly the exact same thing happened in the third as John Drennen again lined a triple to right field against Antonini. Designated hitter Jerad Head followed immediately afterwards with an RBI infield single to short, giving the hosts the early two-run advantage.

After cruising through the first five innings, White struggled against the Binghamton lineup in the sixth. Sean Ratliff singled while a Lonnie Chisenhall error at third base prolonged the inning. White then threw a costly wild pitch, leading to a run-scoring groundout just before the hot-hitting Nickeas gave the visitors a 3-2 lead with a two-out homer to left.

The Mets then added to the Akron deficit thanks to a seventh inning rally that featured a solo homer by Brahiam Maldonado and a double play that plated Raul Reyes.

Meanwhile, the Aeros offense struggled against the Binghamton pitching staff as the team failed to capitalize on a leadoff double by Head in the sixth. Akron rallied again in the seventh as Jason Kipnis drew a leadoff walk, Chisenhall singled to right and an error advanced both runners. Drennen then plated Kipnis with a groundout but new reliever Emary Frederick stranded the bases loaded by forcing Damaso Espino to fly out to center.

Cristo Arnal began the bottom of the eighth inning with a double, but Mets pitchers retired the final six Aeros to capture the opener of this three-game series.

Antonini (5-5) earned the win in averting damage over 5.1 innings while White (2-4) took yet another tough loss despite his fifth quality start. The highly touted right-hander permitted seven hits in six innings along with the three unearned runs and three strikeouts as he now has a 1.77 ERA in seven starts for Akron. Binghamton closer Manuel Alvarez finished the contest and delivered a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season.

The Aeros finished the night 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base overall. Two hit by pitches, six walks and seven hits (including four for extra-base) were not enough to propel the team to a third straight home victory. Binghamton's Nickeas was the main offensive star as he finished a triple away from hitting for the cycle.

Akron plays game five of this six-game home stand Saturday night against the Binghamton Mets with a scheduled first pitch of 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. It is the first scout campout night of the year, presented by Appalachian Outfitters, and the first 500 lucky fans in attendance will receive free t-shirts sponsored by Fortis College. Left-hander Scott Barnes (3-6, 5.82 ERA) will be on the mound for the Aeros as Binghamton southpaw Mark Cohoon makes his Double-A debut. Join Jim Clark for Saturday night's game broadcast, beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Akron Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from June 25, 2010


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