EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Berger, Bullpen Stymie Baysox in 3-0 Win

Published on August 19, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Eric Berger earned his first win as an Aero and Bowie finished with a grand total of one infield single in Akron's 3-0 victory before 3,534 fans at Canal Park Wednesday night. The Aeros improved to 76-47 and equaled their high-water mark of the season at 29 games over .500 while also lowering their magic number to 11 to clinch the Southern Division title. Bowie fell to 63-59.

Berger allowed just a walk over the first two innings, and Akron got him all the support he would need in the bottom of the second. Matt McBride ripped a double inside the third base bag with one away, and Lonnie Chisenhall followed two pitches later with a soaring two-run homer to right-center that just barely scraped over the fence and into the Akron bullpen.

Bowie's Josh Bell worked his second walk of the night off Berger with two away in the fourth, and the Baysox finally broke into the hit column in the sixth. With the bases empty and two down, Daniel Figueroa rolled a groundball to the hole on the left side. Aeros shortstop Carlos Rivero ranged far to his right and got his glove on the ball but couldn't field it cleanly, and the play was immediately and correctly ruled a base hit. That would be the last base runner Bowie would muster however, and Akron then got a clutch insurance run in the bottom of the inning on Carlos Santana's two-out RBI single to right field.

Berger (1-1) earned the win with six shutout innings and struck out seven in the process. Erik Stiller was perfect in the seventh and eighth and Josh Judy worked a three-up, three-down ninth for his seventh save as Akron pitching retired the final 10 Baysox in order for the second straight night. The visitors also did not advance any of their three runners on the night past first base. Bowie starter Tim Bascom (2-7) turned in a quality start of his own in the defeat, holding the Aeros to three runs and five hits in 6.2 innings while also recording seven strikeouts. Chisenhall's home run was his second at the Double-A level, and McBride finished 2-3 and was the only Aero with multiple hits.

Akron will look for the three-game sweep Thursday night at Canal Park on another Thirsty Thursday, with $1 fountain drinks available until the end of the third inning. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with the Aeros sending Connor Graham (0-2, 5.19 ERA) to the mound and the Baysox countering with Steve Johnson (0-1, 3.00 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.

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Eastern League Stories from August 19, 2009


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