EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Erie Claims Back and Forth Affair, 11-8

Published on May 29, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


ERIE, PA - Aeros pitching surrendered season-highs in both runs and homers as Erie took the opener of a three-game series 11-8 before 4,619 fans at Jerry Uht Park Friday night. The SeaWolves improved to 27-19 and pulled to within five games of first-place Akron (32-14).

Erie opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first against Josh Tomlin, but the Aeros responded immediately in the top of the second. A pair of walks opened the inning, and Jared Goedert's base hit then loaded the bases with one away. Jerad Head followed with a walk to force in a run, Cristo Arnal beat out a fielder's choice to tie the game, and Jose Constanza then put Akron in front by a run with an RBI single to center.

Joe Tucker's solo homer in the bottom of the second retied the game at 3-3, but Beau Mills answered in the top of the third with a solo shot of his own on the first pitch of the inning, putting the Aeros up 4-3. Erie then tied it in the bottom of the third on Cale Iorg's two-out double, but back came Akron once more as Head reached on a two-base throwing error, went to third on a sacrifice, and scored on Constanza's second RBI single of the evening to make it 5-4.

The SeaWolves took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth though, as Max Leon drilled a two-run homer to right to make it 6-5. The Aeros then couldn't capitalize on a leadoff double from Carlos Santana in the top of the fifth, and Erie broke the game open with five runs in the sixth, socking three home runs in the process. The clubs sat through a 31-minue rain delay in the eighth and Mills delivered a three-run homer in the ninth, but the Aeros still suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Alfredo Figaro (3-1) managed to go five innings to earn the win, allowing five runs (four earned) and five hits in five innings. Tomlin (5-3) lost his second straight start to Erie, surrendering six runs and eight hits in four innings. Mills led the way offensively with two homers and four RBI, joining Nick Weglarz as the second Aero with two homers in a game this year. Constanza finished 3-5 with two RBI, and Goedert also chipped in two hits. The 11 runs marked the first time this year that Akron had allowed double-digit runs in a game, and Erie hit six home runs in the contest.

The middle game in this three-game series is set for 6:35 p.m. Saturday, with Hector Rondon (6-2, 2.08 ERA) taking the hill for Akron against Erie's Jonah Nickerson (2-3, 6.23 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:20 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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Eastern League Stories from May 29, 2009


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