Aeros Pound Binghamton, 13-3
August 29, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Seven players had multi-hit games and Akron lowered its magic number to one to clinch the Southern Division regular season title, hammering Binghamton 13-3 before 5,579 fans at Canal Park Saturday night. The Aeros (81-52) were denied a chance to celebrate however, as the club entered play needing a win and a Reading loss to clinch the top seed in the playoffs, and the Phillies were suspended in the bottom of the second inning. Binghamton fell to 50-81.
The Aeros opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with RBI hits from Jerad Head and Carlos Rivero, but the B-Mets answered and eventually tied the game at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Akron exploded for four runs in the bottom of the inning however, as two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Jose Constanza then put the Aeros ahead to stay with an RBI infield single, Josh Rodriguez followed with an RBI knock to center, Carlos Santana added a sacrifice fly and Beau Mills capped the frame with a run-scoring fielder's choice.
Akron then broke the game wide open with four more runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Mets reliever Jake Ruckle balked in a run and Mills added an RBI single. Head then delivered the big blow, ripping a two-run double inside the third base bag and stretching the advantage to eight runs at 11-3. The Aeros tacked on two more runs in the eighth on an error and a sac fly by Head.
Eric Berger (2-1) struggled with his command but still earned the win, working into the sixth and allowing three runs (two earned) and six hits in 5.2 innings. He walked three and struck out six, and survived despite having the leadoff man reach base in each of the first five innings. Dylan Owen (4-10) suffered the loss for Binghamton, getting knocked around for seven runs and 10 hits in just four innings. Carlton Smith and Brian Grening combined for 3.1 shutout innings out of the Akron bullpen, with Smith turning in his 18th scoreless appearance in his last 23 outings.
Head paced the offense with a 3-4 night, including two doubles, two runs scored, and a season-high four RBI. Rivero and Matt McBride also finished with three hits apiece, while Constanza, Rodriguez, Santana and Mills all had two hits.
Game three in this four-game series is set for 1:35 p.m. Sunday, and Akron can clinch the division title with a win. Left-hander Bobby Livingston (2-4, 5.55 ERA) will get the ball for the Aeros while Binghamton sends Eric Brown (5-14, 6.38 ERA) to the hill. Sunday is also another Family Pack Day at Canal Park, with four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks and four bags of chips for just $48. The game broadcast begins at 1:20 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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