EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Outlast Phillies in Marathon

May 17, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


READING, PA - Akron waited out an 85-minute rain delay and a season-high game time of 3:45 to earn an 8-5 win over Reading before 7,555 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium Saturday. The Aeros improved to 18-20 with the win while Reading slipped to 18-22.

Lou Marson gave the Phillies an early lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first, but the Aeros answered back on consecutive RBI singles from Chris Gimenez and Wes Hodges in the top of the third to take a 2-1 lead. Reading retook the lead in the bottom of the frame on Marson's two-run single, but Akron took the lead for good in the top of the fourth.

Trevor Crowe, back in the lineup for the first time since missing 35 games with a strained back, socked an RBI double to the base of the wall in dead center field to score Jose Constanza and tie the game at 3-3, and Gimenez then delivered a two-out RBI double to left to score Crowe and make it 4-3. The Aeros added an insurance run in the fifth when Stephen Head scored on a fielder's choice, and reliever Jeff Stevens walked in a run but left the bases loaded to get through the fifth with a 5-4 lead intact.

Akron then tacked on three more runs in the sixth, as Head singled home a pair of runs and Hodges scored on a double-play ball to make it 8-4. Reading added a run in the bottom of the eighth but could pull no closer.

Stevens (4-1) earned the win with 1.2 shutout innings, while Phillies starter Andrew Carpenter (2-5) suffered the loss. Randy Newsom notched the final four outs for his 10th save in as many opportunities. Akron pounded out a season-high 15 hits on the night, including three apiece from Gimenez, Hodges and Head. Brandon Pinckney also extended his hitting streak to eight games.

The Aeros will finish their rain-shortened road trip Sunday at 1:05 p.m. as Frank Herrmann (4-2, 3.54 ERA) gets the start against Reading left-hander Antonio Bastardo (1-1, 3.06 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 12:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics



Eastern League Stories from May 17, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central