EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Rally Late Saturday to Defeat Erie 6-5

July 17, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros stormed back to win again Saturday night, striking for three runs in the decisive seventh inning to claim a 6-5 victory over the Erie SeaWolves. Akron's bats pounded the Erie pitching again and finished with 12 hits including four doubles and Jerad Head's seventh home run of the season in front of 3,264 fans at Canal Park. The third straight win over the SeaWolves (38-56) coupled with Bowie's loss moved the Aeros (48-45) only 1.5 games behind the second-place wild card spot in the Western Division.

Lefty starting pitchers Eric Berger and Erie's Charlie Furbush engaged in an early pitcher's duel that held both teams scoreless through the first four innings. The SeaWolves then struck first in the top of the fifth as a double by Rawley Bishop ignited a big inning. The designated hitter later scored on a passed ball while both Michael Bertram and Andy Dirks collected RBI singles to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage.

Akron then began a back-and-forth battle and cut the deficit to only 3-2 in the bottom half of the fifth. Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera doubled to left, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall continued the rally with a one-out single and red-hot right fielder Matt McBride followed with a clutch two-run double right down the left field line.

Berger stayed in the game for the sixth inning and ran into trouble with two outs. Designated hitter Cesar Nicolas delivered the blow with his seventh home run off the Miller Lite sign in right-center, bringing the Erie lead back to three runs at 5-2.

The left fielder Head promptly returned the favor in the bottom of the frame with his homer to left-center, preceding the game-winning rally that started against Furbush.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis and Chisenhall began the seventh inning with back-to-back doubles that then brought in right-handed reliever Zach Simons. He immediately retired Matt McBride on a fly out, but first baseman Beau Mills tied the game at 5-5 with a clutch single to right. Shortstop Carlos Rivero drew a walk, and with two outs in the frame, catcher Miguel Perez provided the RBI on a single to left to score Mills as the throw home was cut off to end the inning by catching Rivero between second and third.

Reliever Bryan Price (4-2) earned the victory for the Aeros as he struck out four batters in two shutout innings in relief of Berger. Simons (2-4) blew the save opportunity and took the loss, allowing the final run of the contest. New Akron closer Zach Putnam then shut the door in the ninth for his third save of the season.

Kipnis, Chisenhall and Perez all finished with two hits on the night as the home team now has 35 base hits and 20 runs scored in the first three games of this series against Erie. McBride's two RBI double brought his season total to 54 runs batted in, ranking first on the squad, third in the Indians organization and seventh in the Eastern League.

The Aeros will look to earn their first four-game series sweep of the year in tomorrow's finale at 1:35 p.m. at Canal Park. Fans can save $28 on Sunday family packs of four hot dogs, four sodas and four bags of chips for only $48. Lefty Scott Barnes (4-8, 5.08 ERA) makes the start for Akron against SeaWolves right-hander Thad Weber (6-9, 3.93 ERA). Sunday afternoon's radio broadcast begins at 12:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from July 17, 2010


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