EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Erie Strikes Late in 5-1 Victory Over Aeros

Published on July 11, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


ERIE, PA - The host Erie SeaWolves capitalized on a fielding error in the eighth inning to break a late tie and win 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park. First baseman Beau Mills committed a fielding error with one out and a runner on second in the frame, leading to four unearned runs in front of the 2,192 fans in attendance in downtown Erie. The loss snapped Akron's four-game winning streak, dropping the team to 45-44 on the season while the victory for the SeaWolves improved them to 37-53 overall.

The early portion of the contest featured an old-fashioned pitcher's duel between Aeros starter Scott Barnes and Erie's Charles Furbush. The two left-handers each finished with quality starts and Barnes made the first mistake in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Third baseman Audy Ciriaco tripled to center with one out and Rawley Bishop scored him in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly. Akron collected their first hit of the game against Furbush on a Mills single in the fifth before finally tying the score at 1-1 in the sixth.

Left fielder Tim Fedroff began that frame with a double before advancing to third base on a groundout by catcher Damaso Espino. Third baseman Cristo Arnal followed with another sacrifice fly, and the visiting Aeros nearly struck again right afterwards. Furbush left the game with the bases loaded and just one out in the seventh but right-handed reliever Zach Simons forced Carlos Rivero to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Connor Graham entered the game in relief for Akron to begin the eighth inning and struggled from the start. Right fielder Kody Kaiser doubled to begin the game-winning rally and Andy Carrithers drew a one-out walk. Mills then committed the crucial error, loading the bases just in time for an RBI fielder's choice and a two-run triple by Ciriaco. Left fielder Michael Bertram capped the frame with a single to left, giving Erie the final 5-1 edge.

Simons (2-3) earned the win by facing just four batters in 1.2 perfect innings pitched of relief. Graham took the loss in falling to 2-5 on the season, permitted four unearned runs on three hits and two walks while only retiring two outs total. Meanwhile, Barnes had his third straight quality start in allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings pitched and Furbush struck out nine batters in his 6.1 innings as well.

The Aeros collected only four hits on the night, led by the lone extra-base hit on the fourth inning double by Fedroff. The hit extended his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games, matching his personal-best for the 2010 season in Double-A. Designated hitter Matt McBride also singled in the seventh, continuing his success away from Canal Park.

This four-game series and the first half of the Eastern League regular season schedule conclude Monday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch start in Erie. Akron hopes to remain in striking distance from the wild card playoff spot with lefty Eric Berger on the mound (4-4, 4.74 ERA) against SeaWolves starter Thad Weber (5-9, 4.05 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Monday evening's radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from July 11, 2010


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