EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Tie Franchise Record with 4-3 Victory

Published on June 11, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The comeback kids did it again Friday night as the Aeros defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 4-3 in front of a rowdy crowd of 5,970 fans at Canal Park. Akron rallied late in scoring single runs in each of the final four innings to tie an all-time franchise record. The win was the 11th consecutive for the Aeros dating back to May 31st, tying a mark set by the Aeros in June of the 2002 season. Catcher Damaso Espino delivered the game-winning single in the eighth and ended the contest with a caught stealing in the ninth. The Aeros (31-30) remain in a tie for second place in the Western Division of the Eastern League while the loss was just the fourth in 12 games for the Sea Dogs (32-28).

Portland jumped out early on Akron left-handed starter Kelvin De La Cruz in the very first inning. Three walks and a fielding error made it 1-0 and first baseman Anthony Rizzo plated the second run of the frame with a sacrifice fly to center. Left fielder Chih-Hsien Chiang followed with a run-scoring single to give the Sea Dogs the quick three-run edge.

The Aeros began their rally by finally manufacturing a run against Portland's highly touted starting pitcher Casey Kelly. Akron right fielder Jerad Head began the fourth with a double to left-center and back-to-back groundouts made it a 3-1 game.

A controversial call by umpire crew chief Adam Hamari then highlighted a crazy sixth inning where the Aeros continued to build momentum against the Sea Dogs. Rizzo started the frame with a towering fly ball to the tall wall in center, believed it was a home run but told otherwise by Hamari who promptly excused him from the game. Teammate Che-Hsuan Lin was also ejected as Portland took the field in the bottom of the sixth and a solo homer by Akron's Lonnie Chisenhall brought the margin to just one run.

Center fielder Adam Davis and Espino then led off the bottom of the seventh with singles and Tim Fedroff followed immediately with a clutch RBI double to tie the game. With one out in the eighth, Head singled and Davis drew a walk to start the game-winning attack. Espino then lined a 0-2 pitch from Portland's Bryce Cox into right field, scoring Head and providing the final run of the night in order to tie the all-time record.

Reliever Carlton Smith (1-1) earned the victory with a shutout eighth inning for the Aeros while Anthony Hollovy (3-2) took the loss for the visiting Sea Dogs. Bryce Stowell picked up his fourth save as Espino's caught stealing negated the only base runner he allowed.

Espino finished the night 2-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI and threw out two Portland runners attempting to steal second base. Fedroff, Head and Matt McBride all collected two hits as the hosts actually out-hit Portland 12-5 on the night. Chisenhall's solo home run was his fifth in just 13 contests since returning from the disabled list on May 28th.

Akron will look to break the franchise record as this weeklong home stand continues Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Sea Dogs. It is a Super Saver Saturday at Canal Park where tickets are just $7, hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and draft beer are available for just $1 and all fans can take advantage of a 10% discount at Infield Outfitters. Aeros lefty Nick Hagadone (1-0, 3.00 ERA) matches up against Portland starter Ryne Miller (2-3, 4.96 ERA) in game two of this three-game series. Join Jim Clark for tomorrow night's game broadcast, beginning at 6:50 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 June 11, 2010


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