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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Third Time Not the Charm as Aeros Fall 5-3

July 13, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


READING, PA - Akron scored three runs for the third straight game, but unlike the previous two contests couldn't pull out a win as Reading defeated the first-place Aeros 5-3 before 5,578 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday. The Phillies improved to 39-55 while Akron fell to 60-35.

Chuck Lofgren returned to the starting rotation for the first time in a month for Akron after spending time on the inactive list, but had trouble finishing innings. He recorded the first two outs in the first before issuing a two-out walk, and then got the first two hitters in the second before running into trouble. Luke Appert started the rally with a bloop single to center on an 0-2 pitch, and Jake Blalock then doubled off the left field fence. Bronson Sardinha played the carom perfectly and fired a strike to the cut-off man Brandon Pinckney, but the relay throw to the plate sailed over the head of catcher Damaso Espino as Appert scored. Two pitches later, Kevin Nelson launched a fly ball into the jet stream that was blowing out to center for a two-run homer and a 3-0 Reading lead.

The Phillies added another two-out run in the third, but Akron rebounded with three runs in the fourth. Sardinha opened the frame with a single to left, and Matt Whitney followed by blasting a two-run homer to left-center to cut the deficit in half. Espino added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to make it 4-3, but that was as close as the Aeros would get. Reading's Clay Harris led off the eighth with a solo home run to account for the final margin.

J.D. Durbin (5-4) earned the win with seven solid innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four. Lofgren (1-4) surrendered four runs and four hits in 2.2 innings, walking three and also striking out three. Jim Deters followed out of the bullpen and worked 3.2 shutout innings, giving up just two hits. Whitney's home run was his seventh of the season, while Sardinha, Josh Rodriguez, and Nathan Panther all had two hits.

The finale in this four-game series is set for 12:05 p.m. Monday, with Aeros left-hander Scott Lewis (4-2, 4.37 ERA) squaring off against Reading's Tyson Brummett (1-3, 4.81 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 11:50 a.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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