EL1 Akron RubberDucks

B-Mets split series, win 1-0 in 10 innings

Published on June 29, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The visiting Binghamton Mets defeated the Aeros 1-0 in 10 innings Monday night at Canal Park in front of 3,212 fans, earning a split in this four-game series and marking the end of a streak of six consecutive series victories for Akron. It was the third time this month and the eighth time this season that the Aeros were held scoreless, as Binghamton manufactured their only run of the game in the top of the 10th inning. Akron fell to 50-25, holding on to a seven-game lead over Reading in the Southern Division, and the Mets improved to 29-46.

It was a scoreless battle in the early going as starters Jeanmar Gomez and Dylan Owen matched each other pitch-for-pitch. Binghamton nearly got on the board in the first inning, but Gomez picked Emmanuel Garcia off first base after he led off the game with a single. The Mets collected two more singles in the frame, but came away empty handed because of Gomez's good move. Akron got its first runner in scoring position in the third when a two-out single by Jose Constanza brought Jared Goedert to second base, but Jerad Head struck out swinging to end the rally.

The Aeros threatened again in the bottom of the eighth inning, with left-handed reliever Roy Merritt in the game for Owen. A pair of walks brought Carlos Santana up to the plate with men on first and second and two outs, but he grounded out right to first baseman Ike Davis to end the frame. Akron reliever Carlton Smith followed Gomez with three scoreless innings of his own to keep Binghamton off the board in regulation, but Merritt again worked out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth. Matt McBride doubled with one out, but the Mets intentionally walked Carlos Rivero and the strategy paid off when John Drennen grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Ruben Tejada began the 10th with a single against Akron closer Vinnie Pestano, before advancing to second base on a sacrifice by Mike Nickeas and went to third on Garcia's grounder. Josh Thole then poked the game winning single past a diving Goedert inside the third base bag for the deciding run. Akron mounted one last charge in the bottom of the 10th as Goderet led off with a single and eventually made it to third, but Santana grounded out sharply to first to end the game.

Merrit (4-4) earned the win while Pestano (2-3) suffered the loss for the Aeros. Connor Robertson recorded the last two outs in the 10th for his first save. Both starters were superb, although neither factored into the final decision. Gomez earned his sixth quality start of the season in just 11 starts by tossing six scoreless innings. He permitted just five hits, and three walks while striking out four in lowering his ERA to 2.79, ranking eighth in the Eastern League. Owen pitched 7.2 innings in the longest start of his Double-A career while also registering a season-high seven strikeouts and allowing four hits and one walk. Smith's three scoreless innings in regulation pushed his consecutive scoreless streak to 16.2 frames. McBride and Goedert each knocked two hits for the Aeros, and Nick Weglarz walked to extend his on-base streak to 23 games.

The Aeros hit the road for a game at Prince George's Stadium Bowie Tuesday night starting at 7:05 p.m. Akron has yet to announce their starter for the contest against the third-place Baysox, who will have Radhames Liz (2-0, 3.00 ERA) on the mound.

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Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2009


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