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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Offense Explodes on Fireworks Night

June 27, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros pounded out 19 hits, hit for the cycle as a team in the seventh inning, and Trevor Crowe drilled a grand slam in Akron's 16-6 victory over Reading in the weekend series opener before 6,541 fans at Canal Park on Friday Fireworks Night. The Aeros jumped to 48-31, while Reading fell to 30-48.

After Reading put up two runs in their half of the first off Aeros starter Kevin Dixon, Akron broke through with five in the bottom half. Crowe and Josh Rodriguez led off with walks off Reading starter Carlos Carrasco, Bronson Sardinha followed with an RBI single, and Rodriguez scored on a Wes Hodges groundout to tie the game at 2-2. Stephen Head then ripped an RBI double, and Brandon Pinckney's RBI two-bagger and a sac fly by Wyatt Toregas capped the inning.

In the second, Josh Rodriguez singled home Crowe, who doubled to lead off, to make it 6-2. The Phillies scored twice in the third on a two-run double by Jeremy Slayden, but an RBI single by Jose Constanza and a run-scoring double play by Crowe put the runs back on the board and the Aeros led 8-4 through three innings. The offenses quieted in the fourth and fifth innings, until Reading tallied a single run in the sixth.

Then in the seventh, the Aeros put up one of their biggest innings of the year, tying a season-high with six runs and setting a new season-high with seven hits in the frame. Head led off with his second homer in as many nights, and after a groundout, the next five hitters hit for the cycle. Pinckney singled, Toregas doubled, and Constanza was intentionally walked to load the bases. Crowe made the Phillies pay, crushing a 2-2 offering into the right-field bleachers for a grand slam and his third home run of the year to give Akron a 13-5 lead. Rodriguez completed the cycle with a triple into the right-field gap, and Sardinha drove him in with a single to center to cap the inning. Eleven Aeros came to the plate in the inning and Head had two hits in the frame, coupling a single with his homer.

Reading added a single run in the eighth on a run-scoring double play, but Akron finished the scoring with two more in the bottom of the eighth. With two down, Constanza and Crowe singled and Rodriguez tripled for the second time, tying a franchise record, making it 16-6.

Dixon (5-5) earned the win, working six innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out seven. Carrasco (5-7) took the loss in his shortest outing, completing just three innings and allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and walking three. Brett Harker took the major hit, pitching the seventh and eighth innings and allowing eight runs on 10 hits in a miserable Eastern League debut. Crowe, Rodriguez, Head, and Constanza all had three hits (every Akron starter had at least one), and Crowe drove in four runs and scored four times. Rodriguez had three RBI and Head drove in two as Akron set new season-highs in runs and hits while tying a season-high for margin of victory.

The Aeros continue this three-game set with the Phillies at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Akron left-hander Scott Lewis (3-0, 4.50 ERA) will face off against Reading's J.D. Durbin (1-4, 3.02 ERA). The first 1,000 fans at Canal Park will receive a Cooler Bag courtesy of Distillata. 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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Eastern League Stories from June 27, 2008


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