Mills Delivers in Extras, Aeros Win 6-3
September 1, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
ALTOONA, PA - Beau Mills ripped a two-run double in the top of the 12th and the Akron bullpen turned in seven shutout innings as the Aeros defeated Altoona 6-3 before 3,948 fans at Blair County Ballpark Tuesday night. Akron improved to 83-53 and climbed back to a season-high 30 games over .500, while the Curve slipped to 60-76.
Jose Constanza got the Aeros off to a quick start by drawing a leadoff walk to open the game, and the speedster then promptly stole second and third base. The steal of second was Constanza's 42nd of the year, moving him past Eider Torres and into first place all alone on the franchise's single-season list. Mills then delivered a sacrifice fly to put the Aeros up 1-0, but the Curve responded with single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to take the lead.
Akron managed only a run on two hits through the first five innings, but rallied to tie the game in the sixth. Matt McBride reached on an infield single with one down, and Lonnie Chisenhall then drove a ground-rule double the opposite way to left. Curve reliever Derek Hankins recovered to strike out Jerad Head, but Carlos Rivero laced a clutch two-run, two-out double to left field to tie the game at 3-3.
It remained that way into extra innings, with neither team making much headway in regulation. Neither side could capitalize after putting the leadoff man on in the 10th, and Head was erased on a double play in the 11th after reaching on an infield single to open the frame. Akron finally broke through in the 12th however, as Josh Rodriguez notched a one-out single and Carlos Santana drew a walk. That set the stage for Mills, who drove a fastball to the wall in right-center to score pinch-runner Cristo Arnal and Santana and put the Aeros ahead to stay. Mills advanced to third on the throw home, and McBride plated him with a sac fly to left on the next pitch to account for the final margin.
Brian Grening (1-0) delivered two shutout innings for his first Double-A win, while Altoona's Scott Nestor (2-3) took the loss. Josh Judy recorded a perfect 12th inning for his 10th save in 11 chances, capping a run of seven shutout innings from the Akron bullpen. Zach Putnam, Neil Wagner, Grening and Judy combined to allow just one hit and two walks over the final seven innings, while striking out nine in the process. Mills finished with three RBI to reach 80 for the season.
Game two in this three-game series is set for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, as Akron southpaw Scott Barnes (1-2, 7.20 ERA) takes on Altoona's Mike Crotta (6-8, 4.95 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:20 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 September 1, 2009
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