EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Diaz Enjoys Career Night as Aeros Down Baysox, 11-8

Published on July 8, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Bowie, MD - Akron Shortstop Juan Diaz tied a team record with eight RBI's Sunday night, clubbing a grand slam and going 4-4, as the Aeros outlasted the Bowie Baysox, 11-8, at Prince George's Stadium.

The Aeros (51-38) snapped a three-game losing streak and maintained their 2 1/2 game lead over Harrisburg, who won for the eighth straight time with a 3-1 win over Erie on Sunday.

With eight RBI's in the game, Diaz, 23, tied an Aeros record previously set by Scott Morgan (1999) and Matt McBride (2009). With Sunday's windfall, Diaz raised his season RBI total to 37.

With Diaz doing the heavy lifting, the Aeros raced to a 9-3 lead through the first four innings. Diaz grounded an RBI single in the first inning off Bobby Bundy (2-11). He added a two-run double to left in the third, also off Bundy, who left after three innings. In the fourth, Diaz came up with two outs and the bases loaded and belted the first pitch he saw from Baysox reliever Zach Clark over the left field fence for a grand slam.

Diaz, who has appeared in five major league games for Cleveland this season, collected his eighth RBI with another run-producing single in the 6th. It was his first four-hit game of the season.

The Baysox (43-45) attempted a comeback against the Aeros bullpen, scoring a pair of runs off Kyle Landis and Bryan Price in the sixth and seventh to pull to within 10-8. Akron's Thomas Neal added a key insurance run in the eighth with an RBI double to extend the lead to 11-8. Diaz, incidentally, was intentionally walked following Neal's double.

That was enough of a cushion for Preston Guilmet who closed in the ninth, working around a pair of one-out walks to earn his 11th save.

Aeros righthander Jose De La Torre (7-0) earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing just one run.

Akron catcher Chun Chen went 2-3, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Designated hitter Nick Weglarz was ejected by plate umpire Ramon De Jesus in the first inning for arguing a called third strike.

The Aeros will conclude the three-game set at Bowie with an 11:05 AM matinee on Monday morning. RHP Paolo Espino (3-2, 3.40) will start for the Aeros, while RHP Chris Tillman (NR) is slated to start for the Baysox. Tillman has spent most of the season at Triple-A Norfolk and started for Baltimore last Wednesday. All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 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 July 8, 2012


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