Bullpen Leads Aeros to 7-6 Win, Series Split
Published on May 31, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
BINGHAMTON, NY - A pair of Akron relievers delivered four shutout innings to lead the Aeros to a 7-6 victory Monday afternoon in front of 1,857 fans at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton. The Mets blasted out of the gates offensively against Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz, but registered just two hits after the fourth inning. The victory helped the Aeros (21-30) earn a split in this four-game set against Binghamton (24-26), the final contest of the year for Akron in the state of New York.
Game four of this wild series began with another bang as both teams scored in the very first inning. With two runners on and nobody out, B-Mets second baseman Reese Havens' throwing error scored Lonnie Chisenhall to give Akron the 1-0 lead. The Mets then swiftly responded in the bottom of the first against De La Cruz as a walk, a pair of RBI hits and a Cristo Arnal error at short hurt the cause for the visiting Aeros. Binghamton's one-run lead did not last for long as Jared Goedert hit a homer for the third night in a row in the third, scoring Chisenhall again and bringing the score to 3-2.
That homer then kick-started opposing rallies from both squads with the Mets striking for two in the third as well. In the fourth, Binghamton starter Eric Niesen permitted a pair of walks that eventually led to another pair of Akron runs on no hits in the inning. The Aeros seemed in control with the brief 5-4 lead, but the hosts responded again in the bottom of that inning. A two-run home run by leadoff center fielder Kirk Nieuwenheis put Binghamton back on top by the count of 6-5.
Akron took over from there as the Mets struggled to produce any base runners at all for the rest of the contest. Right fielder Jerad Head began the fifth with a walk, Miguel Perez singled and second baseman Cord Phelps followed with a game-tying RBI single to right-center. After a pair of shutout innings, Aeros center fielder Tim Fedroff began the seventh with yet another of the eight walks permitted by Binghamton pitchers. The Mets defense then botched an Arnal bunt attempt, moving Fedroff to third before a John Drennen sacrifice fly provided for the final margin at 7-6.
Right-hander Connor Graham (2-2) earned the win in relief for the Aeros in permitting just one hit in two scoreless innings while newly converted Mets reliever Scott Shaw (4-4) took the loss by allowing the final run to score. Akron's Omar Aguilar earned his second save by pitching two more shutout frames and averting another Binghamton bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning. De La Cruz struggled before handing off the torch to Graham and Aguilar, giving up all six runs in five innings.
On the offensive side, Chisenhall, Perez and Arnal all finished with two hits on the day and the Aeros went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 runners stranded overall. Goedert's two-run shot helped extend his incredible hitting streak to 20 consecutive games, now just two behind the longest in Akron Aeros franchise history.
The Aeros return home Tuesday night for a quick three-game home stand against divisional rival Erie. It is another Two for Tuesday at Canal Park with a special of buy one ticket, get one free from KRAFT Singles as well as similar discounts on many concession items within the stadium. Akron's Paolo Espino (5-2, 3.78 ERA) gets the starting nod as he looks to continue his recent hot streak against SeaWolves righty Brooks Brown (3-2, 4.55 ERA). Tuesday's game broadcast starts at 6:50 p.m. on Sports Radio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros team offices at (330) 253-5151.
Eastern League Stories from May 31, 2010
- Baysox Take Series Win over Richmond - Chesapeake Baysox
- 11 the Hard Way, Bowie Drops Squirrels in Extra Innings, 3-2 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Curve Defeated by R-Phils, 3-2, in Finale - Altoona Curve
- Bullpen Leads Aeros to 7-6 Win, Series Split - Akron RubberDucks
- Errors Hold Back B-Mets in 7-6 Loss to Akron - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Sea Dogs Blast Four Home Runs In 10-6 Victory - Portland Sea Dogs
- Wolves Take Down Harrisburg 11-9 In Slugfest - Erie SeaWolves
- Drabek Works Eight Scoreless Innings In 3-0 Fisher Cats Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder Silenced In Series Finale - Trenton Thunder
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Aeros Game Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Late Rally Lifts Baysox Over Flying Squirrels - Chesapeake Baysox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
