EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Barnes Leads Way, Aeros Finally Win 2-1

August 6, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Aeros left-hander Scott Barnes dazzled through seven scoreless innings Friday to end Akron's six-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the host New Britain Rock Cats. Only 45 minutes away from his hometown of Chicopee, MA, Barnes scattered just two hits to earn the win in front of 7,268 fans at New Britain Stadium, many supporting the local hero. The win improved the Aeros to 57-54 and 4.5 games behind the wild card-leading Bowie Baysox while the Rock Cats dropped to 33-80.

The game started on a great note for the visitors as the top of the Akron lineup blasted New Britain starting pitcher Chris Province. Center fielder Jordan Henry and second baseman Jason Kipnis led the game with back-to-back singles and Lonnie Chisenhall followed with a sacrifice fly. Two batters later, right fielder John Drennen plated Kipnis with a run-scoring fielder's choice to the first baseman, giving the Aeros a quick 2-0 lead.

Barnes walked his first batter of the game and also permitted a single to Chris Parmelee, but cruised after that. He retired 18 of his final 19 batters and faced the minimum through the second to seventh innings, simply hitting Joe Benson with a pitch in the fourth.

Akron loaded the bases in the top of the sixth after a single, a wild pitch and two walks, but reliever Cole DeVries ended the frame with two straight fly outs. The Rock Cats jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth on a run-scoring error by Chisenhall before Connor Graham struck out Alexander Soto to end the rally and secure the victory.

Barnes (6-8) earned the victory in one of his most dominant start of the season, simply permitting four base runners with eight strikeouts in his seven frames. The left-hander has been dominant recently, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.34 ERA in his last 11 starts. Province (5-4) took the loss in permitting two runs on eight hits in four innings pitched while Graham avoided a comeback in the ninth inning for his second save of the season.

The Aeros collected nine hits in the contest, led by the contributions from the top hitters in the lineup. Henry finished 3-for-4 and Kipnis collected two more hits, igniting the first inning attack. Catcher Juan Apodaca was 1-for-3 in his debut in the Indians organization, arriving with Akron the other day following a trade from the Boston Red Sox.

This three-game series between the Aeros and the Rock Cats continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at New Britain Stadium. Akron has yet to announce their starting pitcher for the contest against Deolis Guerra (2-7, 5.32 ERA) of the Rock Cats. Join Ken Carman for Saturday night's radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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