EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Minicozzi Belts Late Homer to Stun Aeros, 4-3

Published on August 14, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Richmond, VA - Richmond slugger Mark Minicozzi endured three seasons of independent baseball for the thrill of nights like he and his teammates enjoyed Wednesday. Unfortunately, it came at the Aeros' expense.

Minicozzi drilled a tape-measure, three-run home run to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Flying Squirrels a 4-3 lead, and ultimately a 4-3 win, over the Akron Aeros in the middle game of a three-game series at The Diamond.

It was a dramatic comeback for the Squirrels (62-60), who entered the bottom of the eighth trailing 3-0. Akron righthander Austin Adams came in from the bullpen to start the inning and walked Kelby Tomlinson and Ryan Lollis back-to-back. A single by Joe Panik loaded the bases with no one out. Javier Herrera lofted a foul fly ball to right that turned into a sacrifice fly when Tyler Holt made a sensational sliding catch near the sidewall. Trailing 3-1, with two runners on base, Minicozzi then sent a blast over the center field fence giving the Squirrels a 4-3 lead, and setting off a frenzy among the 6,203 fans at The Diamond.

It was Minicozzi's ninth homer of the season, but his first since July 14th. With Richmond's win over Akron, and Harrisburg's loss at Trenton, the Flying Squirrels now find themselves just 2 =C21/2 games out of first place.

Minicozzi, 30, began his career with the Giants in 2005, but a series of injuries derailed his career to the point where he ended up in independent leagues for three seasons from 2009 through 2011. He managed to gain the attention of his old organization last year and signed a free agent contract. This season, he was a mid-season all-star and is the leading active hitter in the league at .320.

Once the lead was obtained, Richmond closer Edwin Quirarte worked a scoreless ninth for his second save of the series and his 10th of the season. He made a winner of righthander Drew Bowlin (3-1), who worked 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief.

The late-inning comeback sent the Aeros (56-66) to their sixth consecutive loss, the longest of the season. It is also the first time the team is 10 games under the .500 mark. Akron has lost every game on the current road trip.

The bright spot of the night for Akron was starting pitcher Will Roberts, who tossed six innings of shutout baseball. He gave up five hits, all singles. He walked one and struck out five. Pitching in his hometown for the second time this season, the Richmond native didn't disappoint. He threw 94 pitches, 66 of which were strikes. He has thrown 12 2/3 innings at The Diamond this season without giving up a run.

Enosil Tejeda tosseda scoreless inning of relief in support of Roberts in the seventh, lowering his ERA to 0.76. Adams (1-2) suffered not only the loss, but his fourth blown save of the season. It snapped a five-outing scoreless streak for Adams.

Akron built a 3-0 lead through seven innings. Jesus Aguilar had a sacrifice fly in the fourth for his 91st RBI. Newcomer Tyler Naquin drew a bases-loaded walk in sixth, and Cedric Hunter chipped in an RBi groundout in the seventh. Akron left eight runners aboard, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth.

Naquin, the Indians first round pick in 2012, made his Double-A debut after being promoted from Class-A Carolina earlier in the day. He was 0-3. Francisco Lindor returned to the lineup after missing a week with a sore back, but left in the fifth inning when he reported further discomfort. He was replaced by Matt Lawson.

The Aeros will play the final game of the series and road trip when they meet the Flying Squirrels on Thursday night at 7:05. RHP Cody Anderson (NR) will make his Double-A debut for Akron, while the Flying Squirrels will counter with RHP Taylor Rogers (5-7, 5.38). The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151. Follow the team on Twitter @akronaeros or on Facebook at facebook.com/theakronaeros.

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Eastern League Stories from August 14, 2013


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