Aeros Settle for Split in Monday DH at Erie
Published on May 28, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Erie, PA -The Erie SeaWolves pulled off a late-inning comeback in the nightcap of Monday's doubleheader against the Akron Aeros, claiming a 4-3 win, and a split in the twinbill.
The Aeros won the first game, 4-0, as four Aeros pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout.
The Aeros (29-19) completed the eight-game road trip with a 3-5 record. Despite losing four of the last five games, the Aeros remain in first place in the EL Western Division, with a three-game lead over second place Harrisburg.
In Monday's opener, starting pitcher Steven Wright, just activated from the DL, tossed three scoreless innings in his return to the lineup. Wright allowed just two hits and worked around three walks. Recovering from a broken toe that sidelined him for 11 days, Wright fanned three batters before leaving after 55 pitches.
The Aeros broke a scoreless tie in the sixth when Erie starter James Avery (5-4) uncorked a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Akron's Roberto Perez followed with a run-scoring single to make it 2-0, on Avery's 112th, and final, pitch of the game. Adam Abraham and Chun Chen chipped in back-to-back RBI doubles in the seventh to make it 4-0.
Kyle Landis (2-1) came in after Wright, and threw two scoreless innings to pick up the win. Rob Bryson and Preston Guilmet each followed with a scoreless inning to complete the whitewash.
In game two, the Aeros took a 3-0 lead to the sixth on the strength of five scoreless innings from starter Paolo Espino, who lowered his ERA to 1.69. Espino, making his third Aeros start, allowed only four hits and struck out a season-high five batters.
In the sixth, however, the SeaWolves scratched out two unearned runs against reliever Toru Murata. With runners at first and third, a passed ball allowed a run to score, and a muffed ground ball opened the door for another run, to make it 3-2, Aeros.
Then in the seventh, The SeaWolves rallied again, this time against Loek van Mil, who had pitched brilliantly in a three-inning stint here on Friday night. With one out, Brandon Douglas singled, and promptly scored on a triple by catcher Rob Brantly. After an intentional walk to bypass the left-handed hitting Jordan Lennerton, Rawley Bishop lifted a shallow fly ball into foul territory down the first base line.
With his back to the plate, Aeros first baseman Adam Abraham made an over-the-shoulder catch of Bishop's pop-up. Brantly tagged from third and barreled toward home plate, as Abraham spun and fired the ball toward catcher Roberto Perez. The throw was slightly to the first base side of home plate, requiring Perez to reach to his right and make the catch. After securing the ball, he dove at Brantly and appeared to tag the runner's spikes as he slid, feet first, in a proverbial bang-bang play.
Home plate umpire Shawn Lampe signaled "safe" immediately, setting off a firestorm of activity around the plate as Erie players celebrated and Akron personnel protested. Both van Mil (0-1) and manager Chris Tremie were ejected, a matter of principal since the game was already over.
Zach Samuels (2-0) picked up the win in relief for the SeaWolves (25-24). Samuels worked two scoreless innings.
For the Aeros, Nick Weglarz had a double and an RBI in game two. Davis Stoneburner and Matt Lawson also drove in runs as the Aeros built a 3-0 lead.
The Aeros will now return home to Canal Park for a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox (Orioles). The series opener is Tuesday night at 7:05. LHP T.J. House (3-1, 3.30) will start for Akron, while RHP Tim Bascom (3-2, 4.24) will go for Bowie. All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151.
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