Hodges Lifts Aeros to 5-3 Win
Published on May 19, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Wes Hodges doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to lift the Aeros over the Altoona Curve 5-3 in front of 8,927 fans at Canal Park Monday to open an eight-game homestand. Akron moved to 19-21 on the season, while Altoona fell to 15-25.
Altoona collected three runs off Aeros starter Ryan Edell in the first inning. James Boone and Melvin Dorta started the inning with singles on Edell's first three pitches, and Jason Delaney's RBI groundout plated Boone for the first run. It appeared Edell would get out of the inning without further damage, but Brad Corley smoked a full-count fastball to left-center that cleared the fence, giving the Curve a 3-0 lead.
Akron picked up its first run in the fourth inning. Stephen Head led off with a double to left-center, and with two away Brandon Pinckney singled him home to cut the deficit to 3-1. The single also pushed Pinckney's hitting streak to 10 games, a season-high for the Aeros. Akron then tied it in the fifth on Chris Gimenez's first-pitch, two-run homer into the bullpen in right-center after Josh Rodriguez started the rally with a single.
Rodriguez and Gimenez teamed up again to begin the seventh-inning rally with consecutive one-out walks. Hodges then drove a 3-1 pitch from Altoona reliever Evan Meek off the wall in left-center, narrowly missing a round-tripper, to drive in Rodriguez and put the Aeros ahead for good at 4-3. Stephen Head then gave Arkon an insurance run with a broken-bat roller up the first base line to score Gimenez and account for the final margin.
J.D. Martin (4-2) picked up the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh. Meek (0-1) allowed both runs in the seventh and suffered the loss, and Randy Newsom pitched a scoreless ninth for his 11th save in as many chances. Edell battled through his five-inning stint, allowing the three runs in the first but then keeping Akron in the game by stranding six runners (five in scoring position) over the next four innings. He scattered eight hits and a walk while striking out two. Altoona made it tough on Aeros pitching with 12 base knocks on the night, with at least one in each inning, but stranded 10 runners. Altoona starter Corey Hamman threw just three innings, allowing no runs on two hits, but walked four Aeros.
The Aeros continue this four-game series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park. Kevin Dixon (1-3, 5.26 ERA) will get the start for Akron against Altoona's Jimmy Barthmaier (2-2, 5.35 ERA). Tuesday is Two-for-Tuesday at Canal Park with two-for-one specials on tickets and select concessions. 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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