EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Work Deep Into the Night, Snag Series Finale

Published on May 31, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron, OH- A marathon broke out at Canal Park Thursday night, as the Aeros were able to work late into the night and pulled out the victory over the Senators 3-2 in 15 innings to take the series finale.

Navigating the way was the Akron bullpen, as the crew was able to flat out dominate the latter half of what would be Akron's longest game of the season thus far.

Aeros relievers Bryce Stowell, Enosil Tejeda, Rob Nixon, Jose Flores joined forces to completely shut down the Senators lineup, combining to toss eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out twelve.

Coming up big in the bottom of the 15th was rightfielder Carlos Moncrief, who knocked a chopper up the middle with the bases loaded to plate the winning run.

Akron was trailing in the ninth until Jesus Aguilar stepped into the box with one out and walloped a solo blast to tie the game at two. It was the second blown save and first home run allowed since April 18th for Harrisburg closer, Aaron Barrett.

After winning the Cleveland Indians Minor League Player of the Week honors last week, Aeros starter Matt Packer delivered seven strong innings on the hill, while striking out six and walking three.

Packer has now pitched 31.2 innings, with a 1.99 ERA and 25 punchouts over his last five starts.

The right-hander dipped and dodged the Senator's offensive attack for most of the game, until the red-hot Steven Souza Jr. blasted a two-run homer to centerfield and gave Harrisburg the 2-1 advantage. It was Souza Jr.'s second bomb in as many games, as the rightfielder knocked in all five of the Senator's runs in the final two games of the series.

Packer was able to escape trouble early, including a bases loaded jam in the first, highlighted by a slick play to end the inning by newly added third baseman, Nate Spears.

Spears made his Aeros debut after being signed by the Indians as a free agent back in November. It was the third baseman's first action of the 2013 season, as he had previously spent the year on the disabled list with a back sprain in Triple A Columbus. Spears ended up going 2-for-7 on the night.

Akron carved out the first run of the contest in the bottom of the third off the bat of centerfielder Tyler Holt. After a pair of singles by shortstop Jose Ramirez and Spears, Holt added his own with a grounder up the middle to give the Aeros the 1-0 lead. It was a three-hit effort for the centerfielder, while Ramirez, Moncrief, and designated hitter Adam Abraham each matched him with three base-knocks of their own.

Second baseman Ronny Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to 10 games, as he went 1-for-6 at the dish with a single.

For Harrisburg, starter Blake Treinan was able to go blow for blow with Packer, throwing seven innings of one-run ball, while striking three and walking a lone batter. Like Packer, Treinan flirted with danger multiple times, as the Aeros tallied seven hits off the righty, but stayed strong and allowed just one run.

The Aeros hit the road for a three game series against the Reading Phillies starting on Friday night at 7:05. RHP Toru Murata (1-3, 4.19) will start for Akron, while LHP Jesse Biddle (3-4, 3.15) will start for Reading. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com . For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151. Follow the team on Twitter @akronaeros or on Facebook at facebook.com/theakronaeros.

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Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2013


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.

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