EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Espino Stars in Relief as Aeros Win 5-3

June 1, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Right-hander Paolo Espino upstaged the debut of heralded lefty prospect Nick Hagadone Tuesday night as the Aeros defeated the Erie SeaWolves 5-3. The crowd of 1,568 fans at Canal Park witnessed Akron win for the second straight contest thanks to a spectacular relief effort by Espino. The normally scheduled starter allowed just one hit in five shutout innings with seven strikeouts as the Aeros improved to 22-30 while Erie dropped to 25-27 on the year.

The SeaWolves struck in the very first inning against Hagadone thanks to a two-run home run by center fielder Wilkin Ramirez. The shot was his league-leading 15th of the season as Erie took an early 2-0 lead. Aeros designated hitter Matt McBride then helped the hosts return the favor in the bottom of that first with an RBI triple to score Tim Fedroff and cut the deficit to just a single run.

Erie scored again in the third as a two-out single by left fielder Andy Dirks initiated a rally. Hagadone then permitted two walks and a hit by pitch to bring home another runner and give the Wolves a 3-1 advantage. The lefty would pitch just one more inning, retiring all three batters he faced in the fourth but did not factor into the final decision. Espino took over in relief in the top of the fifth and held down the Erie offensive attack for the rest of the ball game.

The Aeros took the lead for good in the bottom of that fifth against Erie starting pitcher Brooks Brown. Shortstop Carlos Rivero drew a leadoff walk and back-to-back singles helped make it a one-run game yet again. After a pair of force outs, left fielder John Drennen then delivered the go-ahead hit with a two-run two-out double off the right field wall, giving Akron a 4-3 edge.

Rivero then helped the Aeros score the final run of the night in the eighth after yet another two-out rally. McBride drew a walk, first baseman Beau Mills punched a single and Rivero then plated McBride with a run-scoring single to right field.

Espino (6-2) earned the win with his masterful performance out of the bullpen, lowering his ERA to 2.36 in his past eight outings overall. Brown took the loss in dropping to 3-3 on the season by allowing four runs in six innings of work. Hagadone finished the night with five strikeouts against the two walks in his four frames while allowing three runs and three hits.

Drennen was the star of the night offensively as he finished with a pair of hits and the two RBI because of his double in the eighth. Third baseman Jared Goedert recorded yet another single as well to extend his hitting streak to 21 straight games, just one shy of the longest in franchise history.

The Aeros look to take a commanding lead Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in this quick three-game series against Erie. It will be another Family Pack night at Canal Park as fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks, and four bags of chips for just $48 dollars. Aeros right-hander Alex White (1-0, 2.57 ERA) faces off against Sea Wolves lefty Andy Oliver (3-2, 3.33 ERA) in the contest. The game's broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on Sports Radio 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 June 1, 2010


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