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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Goleski's Big Blast Powers Aeros to 5-1 Win

August 26, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Ryan Goleski lined a three-run homer down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh and J.D. Martin worked six impressive innings as Akron defeated Altoona 5-1 before 6,167 fans at Canal Park Tuesday. The Aeros improved to 76-60, while the Curve fell to 61-75. Coupled with Erie's three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to knock off Harrisburg 4-3, Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to one.

Akron opened the scoring in the bottom of the third, striking for a pair of unearned runs against Altoona starter Derek Hankins. Josh Rodriguez reached on a throwing error by third baseman Jim Negrych to start the inning, and then moved to third on a single from Bronson Sardinha. Wes Hodges popped up for the first out, but Stephen Head hooked a base hit down the right field line to score Rodriguez and move Sardinha to third. Matt Whitney then followed with a slow roller to third and beat the relay throw to first for an RBI fielder's choice that made it 2-0.

Jose Tabata led off the sixth with a first-pitch solo homer to right-center, but the Aeros responded in the bottom of the seventh. Sardinha and Hodges hit back-to-back singles with one away, and Goleski followed with his 11th home run of the year as he lined a full-count fastball just inside the left field foul pole to push the margin to 5-1.

Martin (11-3) earned the win with his first quality start of the year, and has evolved into Akron's stopper. He has won all three of his starts since taking the rotation spot of Scott Lewis August 14th, and has ended a four-game losing streak and a pair of three-game skids in the process. He allowed just one run on five hits Tuesday, walking two and striking out two in a season-high six innings. He also stretched his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 20.2 before Tabata's home run. Hankins (1-11) pitched well but still lost his eighth straight decision, giving up two runs (both unearned) and eight hits in five innings. The relief trio of Erik Stiller, Tony Sipp and Scott Roehl allowed just one base runner over the final three frames.

Sardinha led the offense with his first three-hit effort since July 5th, finishing 3-5 and scoring twice. All three of his hits came with two strikes. Whitney and Nathan Panther contributed two hits apiece to Akron's 13-hit attack, the most hits the Aeros had recorded in a game since July 28th.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, with Frank Herrmann (10-6, 4.01 ERA) taking the hill for Akron against Curve left-hander Kyle Bloom (5-7, 4.17 ERA). The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest comes to Canal Park starting at 4 p.m., and the free event features batting and pitching cages, the X-BOX 360 video game trailer, a fantastic minor league baseball museum, plus much more. Fans can also donate new or used baseball equipment to receive discounts on Aeros tickets and X-BOX 360 software. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 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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