Cats One Better Again, Nip Aeros 3-2
Published on August 23, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
NEW BRITAIN, CT - Dustin Martin hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, lifting New Britain to a 3-2 win over Akron before 6,218 fans at New Britain Stadium Saturday night. The Rock Cats improved to 57-74 while the Aeros fell to 75-59. Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot did fall to three however, as Harrisburg lost at home to Portland.
Wes Hodges staked the Aeros to an early lead just three batters in, booming a solo home run off the scoreboard in left for a 1-0 advantage. It was the 15th dinger of the season for Hodges and gave him 90 RBI for the year, moving him into second place on the franchise single season RBI list. Chan Perry is the record holder with 96 RBI in 1997.
Bronson Sardinha threw out Steve Tolleson at the plate in the bottom of the first to preserve the lead, and back-to-back doubles from hot-hitting Matt Whitney and Ryan Goleski pushed the margin to 2-0 in the top of the second. The offense would fall quiet after that however, as the Aeros entered into a funk that saw them strand a runner in scoring position in each of the next six innings.
New Britain got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Danny Valencia singled with one away and scored on Drew Butera's two-out triple. Valencia's home run tied it at 2-2 in the sixth, and Martin's homer in the eighth off reliever Neil Wagner accounted for the winning margin. Akron had one final chance in the ninth, but Josh Rodriguez grounded out with Brandon Chaves at second and Bronson Sardinha struck out to end the game after Chaves had advanced to third.
Ben Julianel (3-2) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out four. Wagner (0-1) suffered the loss. Hodges and Goleski paced the offense with two hits each.
The finale in the three-game series and six-game road trip is set for 1:35 p.m. Sunday, as Akron right-hander Kevin Dixon (8-10, 4.59 ERA) takes on New Britain's Jay Rainville (8-9, 6.22 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 1:20 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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