EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Barnes Dominates as Aeros Win Again, 2-0

Published on June 9, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Lefty starter Scott Barnes delivered seven shutout innings in his best start of the year as the Aeros earned their ninth straight victory Wednesday at Canal Park 2-0 over the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats. A crowd of 1,975 fans saw Barnes and reliever Bryce Stowell combine for the shutout, the fifth by Akron pitching in 2010 and the first against the vaunted New Hampshire offense. The Aeros (29-30) now own the longest active winning streak in professional baseball and the Fisher Cats dropped to 36-24.

Barnes and New Hampshire starting pitcher Luis Perez battled early and matched each other pitch-for-pitch in the close contest. New Hampshire struggled offensively all night while the left-handed Perez held the Aeros hitless until a bloop single by John Drennen in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Akron would then manufacture a run in the next frame as leadoff center fielder Tim Fedroff reached base on a one-out infield single. Second baseman Cristo Arnal followed with a walk while Tuesday's hero Lonnie Chisenhall plated Fedroff with a lining single of his own to right, giving the hosts a narrow one-run lead after six.

The score remained 1-0 entering the eighth inning as manager Joel Skinner substituted the right-handed Stowell in relief of Barnes. Fisher Cats shortstop Manny Mayorson began the frame with a single to the shortstop, quickly stole second base and moved to third on a groundout. Jonathan Jaspe followed with a slicing chopper to the charging Arnal at second, who then gunned out Mayorson at home to preserve the shutout.

Small ball helped the Aeros again in the bottom of that eighth as the team added one final insurance run. Catcher Damaso Espino led with a walk and advanced two bases on a groundout and a wild pitch. Continuing his impressive frame, Arnal slapped an RBI single right between the shortstop and the third baseman into left to provide for the final margin.

Barnes improved to 2-5 with the win as he tied a season-high for an Akron pitcher with 10 strikeouts on the night. He permitted just two hits and no walks in his seven innings after entering the game with a 7.17 ERA. Perez (5-5) took the loss despite the eight-inning complete game as he struck out eight. Stowell worked the final two frames for his third save in four outings and he has yet to allow a run in 13.0 innings pitched for the Aeros.

The Akron offense collected just four walks and four singles but it was still just enough for the win. The 13 strikeouts for the Aeros pitching staff marked a season-high for the team. This victory was also the seventh consecutive at Canal Park for the Aeros against the Fisher Cats franchise, with the last loss coming over three years ago on June 7, 2007.

It is Thirsty Thursday tomorrow in downtown Akron as the Aeros will look for their third straight series sweep starting at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Eric Berger (2-4, 6.69 ERA) gets the starting nod for Akron against highly touted New Hampshire prospect Kyle Drabek (7-4, 3.22 ERA). As with all Thursday night home games at Canal Park, fans can purchase 12-oz. soft drinks and draft beers for just $1 through the end of the seventh inning. Tomorrow night's game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and on www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from June 9, 2010


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