EL1 Akron RubberDucks

One Mistake Dooms Graham, Aeros

Published on August 15, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - Luke Hughes hit a grand slam off Akron starter Connor Graham in the bottom of the first inning, and that one swing provided all the offense New Britain needed in a 4-1 victory over the Aeros before 8,217 fans at New Britain Stadium Saturday night. The Rock Cats improved to 60-59 with the win while Akron lost its third straight game and fell to 73-47.

New Britain caught a break in the bottom of the first, as with a 1-2 count leadoff man Brandon Roberts chopped an infield single off home plate and beat Graham's throw to first. Graham struck out two of the next three hitters with Rene Tosoni's hit-and-run single sandwiched in between, but Brian Dinkelman extended the inning with a five-pitch walk. That loaded the bases for Hughes, and he lofted Graham's first offering over the left field fence for his fourth homer of the year and what turned out to be an insurmountable 4-0 advantage.

The Aeros threatened in the top of the second as Carlos Santana opened the inning with a double and Jared Goedert walked with one down, but Rock Cats starter Matt Fox struck out John Drennen and Carlos Rivero swinging to end the frame. Akron wouldn't get another hit until two were gone in the top of the seventh, but mounted a serious rally in the top of the eighth.

Fox gave way to reliever Frank Mata to start the eighth, and Rivero greeted the right-hander with a two-strike single to center. Jerad Head followed with a base of his own (also on two strikes), knocking Mata from the game as New Britain opted for left-hander Spencer Steedley. Jose Constanza foiled the lefty-lefty match-up with the third straight two-strike single however, loading the bases for Lonnie Chisenhall. He got Akron on the board with a sacrifice fly to left to score Rivero and make it 4-1, and the Rock Cats went back to the bullpen to get right-hander Alex Burnett. He immediately fell behind Matt McBride but survived when McBride's sharp liner to left was hit right at Dinkelman for the second out, and Santana then hit a towering fly ball to right that died at the warning track for the final out of the inning. The Aeros went in order in the ninth.

Fox (8-8) earned his second straight win at Akron's expense with seven shutout innings, while Graham (0-2) suffered the loss. Burnett went 1.2 innings for his fourth save. The run in the seventh for the Aeros was the club's first tally in 21 innings, while it marked the first run allowed by New Britain pitching in 32 innings.

Akron will try to avoid a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m., as Josh Tomlin (11-8, 4.19 ERA) will take the mound against Cole Devries (7-12, 4.26 ERA) of the Rock Cats. The game broadcast begins at 1:20 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from August 15, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central