Tejera Leads Aeros to 2-1 Win Over Curve
July 24, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Michael Tejera tossed seven outstanding innings and the Aeros Aeros defeated the Altoona Curve 2-1 in front of a rowdy crowd of 8,277 at Canal Park for Fireworks Friday. Tejera delivered his second straight quality start, while Carlos Santana belted his 16th home run in the bottom of the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie and provide the final margin. The Aeros improved to 61-39 in their 100th game of the season, while the Curve slipped to 38-62.
Tejera and Altoona lefty Daniel Moskos went back-and-forth in a pitcher's duel through the first several innings before Akron finally managed to put a run on the board in the bottom of the fifth. All-Star Beau Mills singled to right-center to begin the frame, while streaking Carlos Rivero singled to left field on the next pitch. Armando Camacaro then laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Mickey Hall drew a walk to load the bases before Kyle Haines scored Mills with an RBI fielder's choice. The Curve tied the game at 1-1 in their next at-bat however, as a sacrifice fly by Brian Friday scored Jim Negrych.
The tie would not last for long, although Moskos did retire the first two batters he faced in the sixth. Moskos fell behind Santana 2-0 however, and grooved a fastball that Santana ripped over the left field wall on a line to put Akron ahead to stay. Tejera went back out for the eighth but surrendered a leadoff single and gave way to Steven Wright out of the bullpen, who worked around a two-out walk to strand a pair of runners. Altoona put two more runners on in the ninth, but Wright struck out Gorkys Hernandez and got Jim Negrych on a bouncer to first to close it out.
Tejera (2-2) earned his second straight win, working a season-high seven frames and limiting the Curve to seven hits and two walks while striking out three. Moskos (7-8) took the loss despite earning a quality start himself, permitting two runs and five hits over six innings. Wright earned his first save of the season by working the final two frames for his 12th scoreless outing in his last 14 appearances out of the bullpen.
Mills collected his team-leading 29th multi-hit game of the season by finishing 2-3 with a run scored, while Cristo Arnal moved into a tie for eighth in the Eastern League with his 14th stolen base of the season in the fourth inning. Santana's 16 home runs are now good for fourth in the league, and the switch-hitter is on pace for 22 bombs which would be the most for an Aero since Jonathan van Every smacked 27 in 2005.
This three-game weekend series continues Saturday evening at Canal Park starting at 7:05 p.m., as the first 1,000 fans will receive an Aeros jersey t-shirt courtesy of FirstMerit Bank. Cleveland Cavaliers legend Austin Carr will also be at the park to help fans "throw the hammer down!" Akron's Josh Tomlin (9-7, 4.18 ERA) takes on Altoona left-hander Kyle Bloom (3-5, 3.39 ERA). 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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