EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Win 5-2 In Series Finale Against Altoona

May 27, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros defeated the first-place Altoona Curve by the score of 5-2 Thursday, avoiding a series sweep to end a weeklong home stand. A season-high crowd of 8,774 fans on the season's final Education Day witnessed Akron win for just the third time in 12 meetings with Altoona. Two Aeros hitters continued their recent hot streaks while a rare triple play highlighted the final few innings. With the win, Akron improved to 19-28 on the year while the Curve dropped to 30-17.

Leadoff hitter John Drennen began the game for the Aeros with a double to right and advanced to third on a groundout. Jared Goedert then plated Drennen with a sac fly to the left fielder, giving the hosts the quick 1-0 advantage. The margin would stand for just an inning and a half as Altoona's Kris Watts initiated a rally with a double of his own to start the third. Miles Durham and singled and both runners later scored on a long throwing error by second baseman Cord Phelps.

Akron struck back with a big three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth as a walk, wild pitch and a single began the rally. Carlos Rivero then lofted an RBI single to left-center, scoring first baseman Matt McBride to even the game at 2-2. Catcher Miguel Perez followed with an even bigger base knock, scoring both Beau Mills and Rivero with a game-changing double to right. The hit parade continued as Drennen nailed another double to provide for the final three-run margin of the day.

That was not the only excitement for the rest of the contest however, as Altoona's Chase d'Arnaud made history in the top of the sixth. The Aeros had first and second and nobody out for Drennen yet again. He lined out right to d'Arnaud at short, who instinctively stepped on second base for another out and threw to Matt Hague covering first base for the rare triple play. The feat was the first in Curve franchise history since May 3, 2001 against the Harrisburg Senators in Altoona.

Both bullpens were spectacular in the final few innings as the scored remained at 5-2. Curve pitcher Derek Hankins delivered 4.1 scoreless frames while a trio of Akron relievers shut down the opposing offense. Bryce Stowell struck out a pair to end a bases loaded jam in the seventh while Aeros Connor Graham and Carlton Smith cruised through the final two innings to seal the deal. The win finalized a seven-game home stand where the team went 3-4 against Harrisburg and Altoona.

Akron starter Paolo Espino (5-2) earned the win in finishing just an out shy of his second straight quality start. He allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out six batters in 5.2 innings pitched. Curve starter Jared Hughes (7-2) allowed all five Aeros runs and took the loss with Smith recording his second save of the season by delivering a shutout ninth.

Despite hitting into the triple play, the center fielder Drennen was the offensive star as he finished 3-4 on the day with a pair of doubles, a run scored and an RBI. Drennen now is batting .545 (18-33) over the course of his 10-game hit streak. Goedert flirted with disaster in extending his hitting streak to 16 consecutive games with a single while Rivero and Perez each finished with a pair of hits.

Akron hits the road this afternoon for the beginning of a four-game wraparound series throughout Memorial Day weekend against the Binghamton Mets. The series starts Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at NYSEG Stadium with Aeros righty Alex White (1-0, 2.57 ERA) making his second career Double-A appearance against B-Mets starter Scott Shaw (4-3, 8.72 ERA). Join Jim Clark on Sports Radio 1350 AM for the game broadcast starting at 6:50 p.m. Friday night. You can also listen online at www.akronaeros.com and for more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics



Eastern League Stories from May 27, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central