Defenders Fall 4-3
Published on August 5, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
AKRON, OH- When two first place teams face off it is only inevitable that an extra inning ballgame would occur and Wednesday night's game two contest saw that with the Akron Aeros pulling off a 4-3 come from behind win over Connecticut in the bottom of the tenth.
With two outs in the tenth and a 2-2 count, 1B-Beau Mills pulled a game winning RBI single past the diving glove of 1B-Brett Pill scoring CF-Cristo Arnal from second to even the three game series at one game apiece.
Connecticut drummed up a two out rally in the third inning with back to back singles by 2B-Brock Bond and LF-Brad Boyer. 1B-Brett Pill then yanked a two RBI double to the left centerfield alleyway to give the Defenders a 2-0 edge.
Akron came out firing in the fourth. A leadoff walk to C-Carlos Santana followed by three consecutive hits, the last coming off RF-Jerad Head's RBI double got the Aeros on the scoreboard. SS-Carlos Rivera capped off the three run inning with a sac fly to right and gave Akron their first lead of the series at 3-2.
The Defenders didn't waste time responding as C-Jackson Williams reached on double to left with one out in the fifth. Connecticut would then draw back to back walks to load the bases for Pill who pulled a single into left plating Williams but a solid throw from McBride would gun down Bond trying to score from second and kept the score tied at 3-3.
Both teams would trade zeros until the tenth. Connecticut had their best chance to grab the lead in the eighth after LF-Bobby Felmy drew a leadoff walk. 3B-Sharlon Schoop then failed to lay down a bunt but drew a walk. Williams struck out trying to bunt with two strikes in his turn before Akron reliever RHP-Josh Judy got two consecutive groundouts to get out of the inning.
In the end, Defenders' reliever RHP-Dan Griffin (6-6) took the loss allowing one earned run off of three hits, hit a batter and struck out one in 1.2 innings of work. Akron's reliever RHP-Erik Stiller (7-3) picked up the win tossing one scoreless inning walked one and fanned two.
The loss sets up a rubber match for the series finale tomorrow from Canal Park at 7:05pm. Connecticut will send RHP-Daryl Maday (5-3) to the hill against the Aeros' LHP-Bobby Livingston (2-4) in hopes of pulling a series win. Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from August 5, 2009
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- 2008 California League batting champ joins Sea Dogs - Portland Sea Dogs
- Baysox Host Country Night - Chesapeake Baysox
- Deadline Deal: Aeros Offering $5 Ticket Sale - Akron RubberDucks
- Pitchers Burnett and Rainville Exchange Places - New Britain Rock Cats
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