EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros score early and often in 6-1 victory

Published on June 6, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Akron roughed up Portland starter Dustin Richardson for six runs in the first three innings and never looked back, rolling to a 6-1 victory over the Sea Dogs before 6,767 fans at Hadlock Field Friday night. The Aeros improved to 32-26 and climbed to six games over the .500 mark for the first time in 2008, while Portland dropped to 36-24.

Akron erupted for three runs in the top of the first, as a single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases with one away for Bronson Sardinha. The white-hot slugger wasted no time in getting the Aeros on the board, ripping a two-run double inside the first base bag to give Akron a 2-0 lead. Matt Whitney followed with an RBI single of his own to make it 3-0, and the Aeros then struck for two more runs in the second. Ryan Goleski and Brandon Pinckney led off the inning with singles, and run-scoring base hits from Josh Rodriguez and Wes Hodges, respectively, pushed the advantage to 5-0. Stephen Head then put an exclamation point on the early outburst with a solo homer leading off the third, hammering a hanging curve for his second shot of the season.

That was plenty of support for a trio of Aeros pitchers, highlighted by Scott Lewis in his first start of the season. The Ohio State University product was slated to begin the year with the Aeros but suffered a strained left lat at the end of spring training, but showed no ill effects in retiring the first 14 hitters he faced. Lewis ended up working five scoreless innings, surrendering just a pair of singles and striking out three men while not allowing a walk. Reid Santos followed with three shutout innings of his own, and T.J. Burton recorded the final three outs.

Lewis (1-0) got the win in his 2008 debut, while Richardson (5-5) lasted just three innings in the loss. All nine position players for Akron had a hit in the game, with Rodriguez, Hodges, Head and Goleski all collecting two hits on the night. Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games, and Sardinha ran his hitting streak to eight straight contests. Pinckney, who had drawn a grand total of two walks in 99 at-bats entering the game, walked twice and added a single.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, with Aeros southpaw Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.54 ERA) taking on an as yet unnamed Portland right-hander. 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 6, 2008


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