Mills Delivers as Aeros Walk-off in 4-3 Win
Published on August 5, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Baseball is a game of second chances. Pop out in one at-bat, get back to it your next time up. Lose a game, come back the next day and do it again. Strike out to end the game one night, deliver the game-winning single the next.
That was the script Akron's Beau Mills followed Wednesday evening at Canal Park, as the first baseman came through with the walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th in Akron's 4-3 win over Connecticut before 3,982 fans. Mills, who had struck out with the bases loaded to end the game just one night previously, helped the Aeros improve to 69-42 on the season while the Defenders fell to 64-46.
Connecticut opened the scoring in the top of the third on a two-run double from Eastern League RBI-leader Brett Pill, but Akron answered back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Santana opened the frame with a five-pitch walk, Mills followed with a sharp single that ricocheted off Pill's foot at first base to put runners on the corners, and Matt McBride dumped the next offering into left field to score Santana and get the Aeros on the board. Jerad Head then followed with a ringing RBI double to left center to score Mills and tie the game, and Carlos Rivero got enough of an 0-2 pitch to put Akron in front with a clutch sacrifice fly to right.
The Defenders came back immediately in the top of the fifth however, as Jackson Williams laced a one-out double to left off McBride's glove and Aeros starter Josh Tomlin then walked the next two hitters to load the bases. That brought Pill to the plate and he delivered once more with an RBI single to left to score Williams and tie the game at 3-3, although McBride atoned for his earlier misplay by gunning out Brock Bond at the plate. Special mention on the play must also be given to Santana, who did an excellent job of blocking the plate and forcing Bond to the outside before lunging to apply the tag.
It would remain even for the rest of regulation, despite near constant threats from the Defenders. Connecticut stranded a runner at second in the sixth, couldn't take advantage of a leadoff walk in the seventh, and then left runners at second and third to end the ninth. The Aeros meanwhile, simply felt fortunate to push the game to extra innings as the offense mustered just two singles from the fifth through ninth frames.
Connecticut squandered another opportunity in the top of the 10th as Akron's Erik Stiller struck out Brandon Crawford with a runner at second to end the inning, and the Aeros went right to work in the bottom half. Cristo Arnal led off with a single on the first pitch of the inning, Jesus Merchan followed with a sacrifice bunt, and Nick Weglarz was hit by a pitch. Defenders reliever Dan Griffin recovered to strike out Santana, but after pulling ahead of Mills 1-2 couldn't put him away. Mills grounded the winning base hit past a diving Pill and into right field, as Arnal raced home before making a hard left and starting an impromptu mosh pit centered around Mills at first base.
Stiller (7-3) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief, while Griffin (6-6) suffered the loss. Mills went 2-5 for his team-leading 33rd multi-hit game, while Arnal and Rivero also finished with two hits apiece. Santana's single in the first inning extended his career-high hitting streak to 13 games.
The rubber match of this three-game series between the top two teams in the EL is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday, as Akron left-hander Bobby Livingston (8-6, 4.70 ERA) takes on Connecticut's Daryl Maday (5-3, 3.58 ERA).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.
Eastern League Stories from August 5, 2009
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