Defenders Fall 2-1/ Lose Series 1-2
August 6, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
AKRON, OH- The rubber match series finale between Connecticut (64-46) and Akron (70-42) brought a pitchers duel into the ninth and saw the Aeros walk-off for the second consecutive night by the final score of 2-1 over the Defenders.
With one out and one on in the bottom of the ninth, DH-Matt McBride crushed a game winning RBI double to the left centerfield alleyway to plate C-Carlos Santana from first to give Akron the series. It was just the second hit of the series by McBride.
Connecticut grabbed an early lead in the first with an RBI single by SS-Brandon Crawford after loading the bases but that would be all off of Aeros' starter LHP-Bobby Livingston. Akron's southpaw worked out the early kinks and settled in to retire the next thirteen in a row. Livingston allowed just the one earned run off of five hits, four in the first inning and struck out a pair in seven innings in the no decision.
Akron tied the ballgame in the third with the bottom of the order on back to back doubles by SS-Carlos Rivero and 3B-Jerad Head. That was the only miscue for Defenders' starter RHP-Daryl Maday who retired the first seven in a row and allowed just two more hits in seven innings of work while walking a pair and fanning four in the no decision.
The Defenders would get a runner in scoring position for the first time since the first in the eighth as C-Jackson Williams lead of with a base hit and advanced to second on a 2B-Brock Bond sac bunt. But CF-Mike McBryde would pop up to second and 1B-Brett Pill would strikeout to end the threat.
Akron's reliever RHP-Steven Wright (9-0) earned the win and Defender's reliever LHP-Joe Paterson (4-5) suffered the loss.
Connecticut's six game road-trip will travel east to Erie, PA as the Defenders take on the Seawolves (Tigers) in a weekend series starting at 7:05pm Friday. Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
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