EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Akron KO's Bowie with K's, Win in 9th

Published on May 30, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Newcomer Bronson Sardinha reached on an infield single in the bottom of the ninth with the bases full to lift Akron to a 5-4 win over Bowie before 7,050 fans at Canal Park Friday night. The Aeros, who have won five of six and set a new season-high with 14 strikeouts from their pitchers, pushed their record to 28-24 and moved just 2.5 games back of the division-leading Baysox, who fell to 32-23.

Akron scored the first run of the game in the first inning when Trevor Crowe drew a walk from Bowie starter Chris Tillman, and scored on an RBI double by Chris Gimenez that hit off the top of the wall in left-center. The Baysox responded with two runs in the third and one in the fourth. Bowie loaded the bases in the third with no one out, and tied the game on a wild 4-3-6-5 double play. Bowie then scratched out a 2-1 lead on a fielding error by Wes Hodges later in the inning, and Nolan Reimold led off the fourth with a solo shot over the wall in center off Akron starter Kevin Dixon to make it 3-1.

After Josh Rodriguez doubled home a run in the fifth to make it 3-2, Akron took advantage of poor Bowie defense to score two runs in the sixth. Sardinha led off with a double into the right-field corner and moved to third on a passed ball. Stephen Head then drove Sardinha home on a sacrifice fly to right, tying the game at 3-3. Then with Trevor Crowe at the dish and runners at first and second, Bowie catcher Brian Peterson threw errantly down the left field line as Brandon Pinckney scored all the way from second to give Akron a 4-3 lead.

Bowie tied the game in the top of the ninth off Akron closer Randy Newsom, who has blown two saves in his last four tries after starting the season 13 for 13. Pinch-hitter Sebastien Boucher led off with a double to left that Crowe lost in the wind and the lights, and two batters later Blake Davis tripled off the wall in right-center, scoring Boucher and tying the game.

The Aeros did not let up in the bottom of the ninth, however, as Crowe led off with his own double, a pop up that fell between three fielders in shallow center. Bowie intentionally walked Josh Rodriguez, and Rommie Lewis Jr. then hit Chris Gimenez on a sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases. After Wes Hodges struck out on a full count, Sardinha hit a broken-bat grounder up the middle. Second baseman Jonathan Tucker could not handle the tricky spin however, and with Crowe going home on contact, Tucker had no chance as the Aeros won in walk-off fashion.

Newsom (3-0) picked up the win, allowing his first earned run since April 6th in one inning of work. Lewis (0-4) took the loss, allowing one earned run in 1.2 innings. Kevin Dixon worked six strong innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. He tied his career-high with nine strikeouts, and walked three. Jeff Stevens faced eight hitters, striking out five and walking two in his two innings of work. Jose Constanza paced the offense with a 3-4 night, while Sardinha went 2-4 and Crowe finished 1-3 with a pair of walks.

The Aeros continue their three-game homestand Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. Akron left-hander David Huff (4-1, 1.98 ERA) will face off against Bowie left-hander Craig Anderson (0-0, 12.27 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from May 30, 2008


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