Aeros Smash Sea Dogs 5-1
June 13, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Rain could not halt the Aeros' bats Saturday night, as they exploded against the Portland Sea Dogs pitching staff en route to a 5-1 victory in front of 4,564 fans at Canal Park. After being shut out while mustering only five hits in the series opener Friday, and kicking off Saturday with a 58-minute rain delay, Akron pounded 11 hits and smacked five extra-base hits for the fourth time in 12 games this month. The Aeros improved to 39-21 with the win, while Portland dropped to 31-30.
Akron, sporting their new alternate camouflage uniforms for just the second time this season, jumped on Sea Dogs starter Junichi Tazawa in the second inning. Tazawa came into the game with a 6-1 record and a 1.96 ERA through his past eight starts, but allowed a leadoff home run to Matt McBride to begin the second frame. John Drennen collected a one-out single, and Jose Constanza scored him with a triple before Jerad Head drove in Constanza with a double. The Aeros as a team hit for the cycle in the inning for the first time all season, giving them the early 3-0 advantage.
The next run came through in the top of the fourth inning for Portland, when Bubba Bell singled to start things against Akron starter Ryan Edell. Lars Anderson followed up with a single, but right fielder Drennen nailed Bell at third with a perfect throw to Jared Goedert. Jon Still then doubled to left field to score Anderson, but Edell struck out the final two batters of the inning to keep the score at 3-1.
The Aeros offense put the final touches on the victory by putting a two-spot on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Nick Weglarz singled, Carlos Santana walked with one out against Tawaza, and Beau Mills followed with a single to score Weglarz and bring in the Portland bullpen. Left-hander Dustin Richardson promptly allowed a scorching double to left field by McBride, providing for the final margin of the evening.
Four Akron pitchers combined to hold the Sea Dogs to seven hits while striking out 10. Edell improved to 2-0 in his seventh start of the season, allowing the lone run of the evening but striking out six and allowing only four hits in five innings. Josh Judy and Neil Wagner kept Portland scoreless, and Vinnie Pestano earned the well-deserved save by stranding the bases loaded in the eighth before recording the final three outs in the ninth. The Cal State-Fullerton product now leads the Eastern League with 16 saves on the year.
Constanza, Head, Mills and McBride all had multi-hit outings as the Aeros offense was at full-strength for the first time in a week. McBride, who missed a week with a left knee injury, went 2-3 with his first home run as an Aero in 22 games, along with a double and a walk. Mills picked up his team-leading 19th multi-hit game of the season with a 3-4 performance, including his Akron-high 16th two-bagger.
This three-game series ends Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m., as all fans can purchase Family Packs including four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four sodas for only $48. Akron starter Hector Rondon (6-4, 3.31 ERA) will take on Portland's Ryne Lawson (1-4, 6.11 ERA) as the Aeros aim for their third consecutive series victory and their seventh win in nine contests. 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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Eastern League Stories from June 13, 2009
- Aeros Smash Sea Dogs 5-1 - Akron RubberDucks
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