Tejera Struggles in Debut, Aeros Fall 11-7
July 7, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Michael Tejera allowed eight runs in his Akron debut and the defense committed a season-high tying four errors in the field as Reading picked up an 11-7 victory in the opener of a three-game series before 2,831 fans at Canal Park Tuesday. The Phillies improved to 48-35 with the win and pulled to within six games of first-place Akron (55-30), and have taken six of eight games against the Aeros this year.
The night got off to an inauspicious start for Tejera just four pitches into the game, as Reading leadoff man Quintin Berry dropped a bunt up the first base line. Tejera and first baseman Beau Mills both thought the other would field the ball, and once Tejera picked it up he compounded the issue by flipping it over Mills' head as Berry raced to second. A sacrifice and a walk put runners on the corners with one away, and second baseman Jerad Head then had a throw go off his glove on a steal attempt as Berry trotted home with the first run of the game. Neil Sellers made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single, and the Phillies tacked on three more runs in the second to go up by five.
Tejera settled down however, and the Aeros mounted a three-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. Beau Mills got Akron on the board with an RBI single to right, and John Drennen followed later in the inning with a run-scoring infield single to make it 5-2. On that play, Carlos Rivero appeared to make contact with Reading first baseman Kevin Mahar as he was fielding the ball, leading to an argument that was only resolved when the Phillies elected to play the game under protest. Jared Goedert followed the fireworks with an RBI single to pull the Aeros within two runs, but Jose Constanza grounded into a double play to end the inning, beginning a run of five straight innings in which Reading would turn a twin killing.
The Phillies got all three runs back in the top of the fifth in knocking Tejera from the game, and when Akron would draw closer with single runs in the sixth and seventh a double play would short circuit the rally and Reading would respond offensively in its next at-bat. The Aeros did get a two-run homer from All-Star Nick Weglarz in the bottom of the ninth and pounded out 16 hits, but it wasn't enough.
R-Phils starter Vance Worley (6-5) earned the win by pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs despite permitting 11 hits. Tejera (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and nine hits in 4.2 innings. He walked five and struck out four, and the eight runs allowed tied an Aeros season high for a pitcher. Every Akron batter had a base hit offensively, with Carlos Rivero going 3-4 with a double while extending his hitting streak to a season-high five games. Constanza, Drennen, Weglarz and Mills all finished with two hits each.
Game two in this series is set for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday on Family Pack Wednesday, featuring a package of four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and fours bags of chips for just $48. Eastern League All-Star Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.31 ERA) will go for Akron against Reading's Mike Stutes (5-4, 4.46 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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