Rondon Dominant, Aeros Hang On 3-2
Published on April 28, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Hector Rondon struck out a season-high nine batters and Erik Stiller tight-roped out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth as Akron nipped Harrisburg 3-2 before 1,481 fans at Canal Park Tuesday evening. The Aeros improved to a league-best 14-4 while the Senators fell to a league-worst 2-14 with their 10th straight loss.
Rondon and Harrisburg starter Justin Jones matched each other in fine fashion for the first half of the game before Akron finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Niuman Romero led off with a single to left and Jones then grazed the right arm of Nick Weglarz with a pitch to put runners at first and second. Josh Rodriguez failed twice in his attempt to bunt the runners over, but with the green light in a two-strike count stroked a hustling RBI double to left-center to score Romero and make it 1-0. The Senators then drew the infield in against Mickey Hall, but Hall ripped a grounder to first that deflected off the glove of a sprawling Bill Rhinehart and trickled into right field as both runners came home to make it 3-0.
The Aeros wouldn't get another hit the rest of the way, but it didn't matter. Harrisburg got on the board in the seventh on a solo home run from former Aero Matt Whitney, and Stiller entered later in the frame and got Michael Martinez to ground out to end the inning with the two tying runs on base.
Stiller saved his best for the eighth however, finding immediate trouble as Mike Daniel led off with a single and Leonard Davis followed with a base hit to put men on the corners. Rhinehart then sent a drive to deep center that bounced off Hall's glove for an error, scoring Daniel and putting runners at second and third with no outs in what was suddenly a one-run game. Stiller got a huge first out by striking out Whitney however, and after intentionally walking Marvin Lowrance to load the bases Stiller came back to punch out Edgardo Baez swinging and Ofilio Castro looking to escape the fire. Vinnie Pestano then needed just eight pitches in a perfect ninth inning to close out the win.
Rondon (4-0) won his fourth consecutive start to begin the year, allowing just a run on six hits over 6.2 innings for his first quality start of the season. He allowed only one walk while setting a new season-high for Aeros pitchers with his nine strikeouts, including seven of the first 11 hitters he faced. Jones (1-2) lost his second straight start to the Aeros, giving up all three runs and all four Akron hits in five innings. Pestano's save was his league-leading eighth of the year. Hall finished 1-3 with two RBI to lead the way offensively.
Game two in this three-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, with Josh Tomlin (2-1, 3.38 ERA) starting for Akron against Senators lefty Ross Detwiler (0-2, 5.11 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 WARF-AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Eastern League Stories from April 28, 2009
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- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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- Sea Dogs Roster Moves - Portland Sea Dogs
- Figueroa to DL, Conley Joins Baysox - Chesapeake Baysox
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