Aeros Score Final Six Runs, Nip Erie 7-5 - Hodges Sets RBI Record in Victory
August 30, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
ERIE, PA - Wes Hodges drove in four runs to set the single-season franchise RBI record and the Aeros rallied for three runs without the benefit of a hit in the seventh, coming from behind for a 7-5 win over Erie before 4,603 fans at Jerry Uht Park Saturday. Akron improved to 79-61 with its fourth win in five games, while Erie dropped to 67-73.
Hodges got the Aeros on the board early for the second straight night, driving an RBI double to right-center to score Josh Rodriguez all the way from first and make it 1-0 just three batters into the game. The SeaWolves rallied to tie it in the bottom of the second however, and then took the lead in an unsightly bottom of the third.
Aeros starter Frank Herrmann walked James Skelton to start the inning, and Hodges then threw a bunt from Casper Wells down the right field line to put runners at second and third. Wilkin Ramirez singled to left to score Skelton, and Nathan Panther dropped Ryan Roberson's liner in center to plate Wells. An RBI single from Santo de Leon and an RBI double from Pedro Cotto completed the scoring and made it 5-1, but Herrmann did well to strand runners at second and third to end the inning.
Akron's comeback started in the fifth, as Rodriguez roped a two-out, two-strike double down the left field line. Bronson Sardinha followed with a single to left, and Hodges then deposited the very next pitch just over the glove of a leaping Wells in left-center to cut the margin to 5-4. The blast was the 18th of the year for the native of Chattanooga, TN and gave him 97 RBI for the season, eclipsing the previous record of 96 set by Chan Perry in 1997 (the first year the Aeros were in Akron).
The Aeros then took the lead for good in the seventh, taking advantage of some ugly baseball from the SeaWolves. Erie starter Josh Rainwater walked Nathan Panther and Brandon Chaves to start the inning, and was replaced by reliever Angel Castro. Rodriguez dropped a sacrifice bunt up the third base line that Castro called for, only to have de Leon swoop in from third with the bare hand and sail an off-balance throw into right field, scoring both runners and putting Akron ahead 6-5. A sacrifice moved Rodriguez to third, and he then scored on a wild pitch.
Relievers T.J. Burton, Erik Stiller, and Randy Newsom combined for the final nine outs, allowing just an infield single and a walk over the last three innings. Their efforts made a winner out of Herrmann (11-6), who battled through six innings and allowed five runs (four earned) and seven hits. He walked three and tied his season-high with seven strikeouts. Rainwater (10-7) left with the lead but suffered the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) and six hits in six innings. Newsom notched his 29th save of the year and his second in as many nights.
Game three in this four-game series is set for Sunday at 6:05 p.m., with J.D. Martin (11-3, 2.55 ERA) going for Akron and Guillermo Moscoso (2-1, 2.83 ERA) going for Erie. The game broadcast begins at 5:50 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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