EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Cats Power Past Aeros 3-2

Published on August 16, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - New Britain slugged two early home runs and the Aeros could not overcome a two-run deficit as they fell to the Rock Cats 3-2 before 6,392 fans at Canal Park Saturday night. The Aeros (73-55) dropped to two games behind division-leading Bowie, while New Britain improved to 53-72.

The Rock Cats jumped on Akron starter Ryan Edell in the first inning. The left-hander retired the first two men he faced, but Dustin Martin singled up the middle and David Winfree socked a two-run home run to left field to give New Britain the early lead.

The Aeros put themselves on the board with one out in the second, as Josh Rodriguez doubled and Stephen Head singled him home to cut the lead in half at 2-1. Danny Valencia got the run back for New Britain in the fourth inning however, drilling a leadoff home run to left to make it 3-1.

Akron reduced the lead to a single run again in the fifth, as Wes Hodges delivered an RBI double with two away to score Head all the way from first and cut the lead to 3-2. The scoring unfortunately stopped there for the Aeros, who stranded 13 runners on the night (including seven in scoring position).

Akron had opportunities to score in the eighth and ninth off New Britain closer Ben Julianel. The Aeros put runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Brandon Pinckney flied out to center to end that threat. In the ninth, Rodriguez reached on an errant throw by second baseman Felix Molina and Head followed with a walk. Julianel rallied though, retiring the next three men to end the game.

Jeff Manship (2-6) picked up the win with five innings of work, surrendering two runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Edell (6-7) took the loss, making just the two home run mistakes and allowing three runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Julianel earned his 24th save in 25 chances for New Britain. Hodges was 3-5 on the night with his 87th RBI, and Head reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk. The bullpen was also terrific, as Erik Stiller and Reid Santos combined for 3.2 innings of one-hit ball, striking out two and walking none.

The Aeros conclude this three-game series Sunday at 2:05 p.m., as Akron's Steven Wright (3-2, 4.47 ERA) takes the mound against New Britain lefty Kyle Asleton (4-6, 5.13 ERA). The Aeros will give away luggage tags to the first 2,000 fans at Canal Park, courtesy of Akron-Canton Airport. It is also Family Pack Day with four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four fountain sodas for just $48. Indians catcher Victor Martinez is expected to continue his rehab with four at-bats as the designated hitter Sunday. The game broadcast begins at 1:50 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 16, 2008


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