Thunder Claim Game One 3-1, Lead Series 1-0
Published on September 9, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - Trenton scored the two deciding runs in the top of the sixth and the Aeros were unable to answer late, falling to the Thunder 3-1 in game one of the Eastern League Championship Series before 3,327 fans at Canal Park Tuesday. Akron will look to even the best-of-five series Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m.
Trenton struck first with a run in the first off Aeros starter Kevin Dixon, who was pitching for the first time since September 1st after not being needed in the first round triumph over Bowie. An understandably rusty Dixon walked two of the first three hitters, and Chris Malec then capitalized with a smash to center that ricocheted off the glove of a diving Josh Rodriguez at second base, scoring Reegie Corona and making it 1-0.
Akron answered in the third, as Wyatt Toregas worked a leadoff walk from Trenton starter Eric Hacker and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Chaves. Rodriguez then knotted the score at 1-1, driving an RBI double to right-center.
The tide would turn in the sixth however, as a double from Ramiro Pena and a single from Austin Jackson put runners at second and third to start the inning. Malec delivered a sacrifice fly to put Trenton back in front by a run, and after a groundout and a walk, Francisco Cervelli lined an RBI single to center on the first pitch from reliever Erik Stiller to make it 3-1. The Aeros managed to get the tying run to the plate in each of the final three innings, but couldn't come through with the big hit to chip away at the deficit.
Hacker (2-0) earned the win with a quality start, limiting Akron to just a run on three hits in six innings (the Aeros had only four hits in the game). Dixon (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in 5.2 innings while walking four and striking out four. Left-hander Michael Dunn worked 1.1 innings of hitless relief for Trenton, and Jhonny Nunez followed by recording the last five outs for his second save. Stephen Head led the offense with a 3-4 effort, while Rodriguez was 1-3 with a walk and the RBI double.
Game two in this best-of-five series is set for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Canal Park, with J.D. Martin (0-1, 5.40 ERA) going for Akron and Christian Garcia making his first start of the playoffs for Trenton. 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.
Eastern League Stories from September 9, 2008
- Trenton Takes Game One Over Akron 3-1 - Trenton Thunder
- Thunder Claim Game One 3-1, Lead Series 1-0 - Akron RubberDucks
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Granite State Baseball Dinner Coming November 22, 2008 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- John Kruk headlines Thursday's event to benefit United Way - Reading Fightin Phils
- Claggett Activated From Disabled List - Trenton Thunder
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