Big 6th Inning Leads Aeros to 8-1 Win
Published on May 25, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - The Aeros used a monster sixth inning to earn a split with second-place Erie, defeating the SeaWolves 8-1 before 9,118 fans at Canal Park, a season-high in attendance and the sixth-largest crowd in the history of the stadium. Akron improved to 31-11 and kept the best record in professional baseball, while Erie fell to 25-18 and dropped to 6.5-games behind the Aeros in the Southern Division.
Akron struck first in this game, as streaking catcher Carlos Santana socked his team-leading seventh home run of the season to left-center field in the second inning. Erie responded shortly thereafter, as Brennan Boesch ripped a triple past a diving Beau Mills at first base and scored on a fielder's choice by Cale Iorg, tying the game at 1-1.
Everything went wrong for SeaWolves starter Luis Marte in the bottom of the sixth, as a leadoff ground-rule double by Beau Mills started the massive Akron rally. Santana walked, and Matt McBride then tried to sacrifice the runners only to see Marte throw the ball past Santo de Leon at third base as Mills scored to give the Aeros the 2-1 edge. Canadian sensation Nick Weglarz then hit the second ground-rule double of the inning, scoring both Santana and McBride and giving Akron a sizable lead at 4-1.
The fun continued as Jerad Head hit a roller up the third base line that went under De Leon's glove to put runners at first and second with still no outs, and Niuman Romero beat out a bunt to load the bases. Crist Arnal bounced into a fielder's choice with Weglarz forced at home, but Jose Constanza and Carlos Rivero then gave the Aeros all the insurance they would need, as both delivered consecutive two-run singles to provide the final margin of the afternoon. The seven runs in the inning marked a new season-high for Akron.
Hector Rondon (6-1) became the second six-game winner in the Eastern League with his first victory since returning to the starting rotation last week. He finished with a solid six innings of work, allowing three hits, one run and a season-high four walks while striking out four as well to notch his third quality start. Marte (2-5) took the loss as he went 5.1 innings while giving up nine hits, eight runs (three earned), two walks and struck out a pair. Carlton Smith came on in the seventh inning for Rondon and pitched three shutout innings while permitting only two hits and recording a strikeout for his first save of the season.
The home stand continues Tuesday night as the Reading Phillies travel to Akron for the first match-up between the divisional rivals this season. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. on Two for Tuesday as Jeanmar Gomez (4-0, 0.31 ERA) of the Aeros takes the mound against Vance Worley (3-2, 3.22 ERA) of the Phillies. Gomez will look to continue his phenomenal pitching in Akron, as he delivered the first perfect game in franchise history in his last outing Thursday in Trenton, and has not allowed a run in his last 27.1 innings. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 WARF-AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Eastern League Stories from May 25, 2009
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- Defensive Gem Ends Game, Sea Dogs Lose 9-8 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Defenders Take Series From Sea Dogs In Thrilling 9-8 Win - Connecticut Defenders
- Big 6th Inning Leads Aeros to 8-1 Win - Akron RubberDucks
- Trenton Blanks New Hampshire 7-0 On Memorial Day - Trenton Thunder
- Flores joins Sens on rehab - Harrisburg Senators
- Curve Drop Fourth In A Row To R-Phils 6-0 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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