EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Weglarz Delivers Again, Aeros Win 5-3

Published on May 15, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


ALTOONA, PA - Nick Weglarz cranked a three-run homer in the top of the eighth, powering Akron to a 5-3 triumph over Altoona before 3,711 fans at Blair County Ballpark Friday night. The Aeros climbed 18 games over the .500 mark for the first time this season at 25-7 while the Curve dropped to 11-22.

It looked like one run would be enough for Akron in the early going, as left-hander Chuck Lofgren continued his outstanding season and carried a shutout into the bottom of the seventh. The Aeros had given Lofgren a 1-0 lead in the top of third as Jerad Head led off with a single and scored on Jose Constanza's two-out knock, but opportunities to pad the advantage fell by the wayside in the middle innings. Akron got a leadoff single from Weglarz in the fifth but went on to leave runners at first and second, couldn't capitalize on a leadoff base hit from Carlos Rivero in the sixth, and then stranded men on the corners in the top of the seventh.

Lofgren cruised through the first five innings, retiring 12 straight hitters at one point while not allowing a runner past first base until Brian Friday got a fortuitous triple in the sixth when Weglarz lost his footing in left field. Lofgren recovered to get the final out in that inning, but couldn't walk the tightrope in the seventh. Brad Corley led off with a single, and after Jason Delaney flied out to the wall in right-center Corley alertly advanced to second on a pitch in the dirt. Lofgren came back to strike out Steve Lerud looking for the second out, but Jonel Pacheco tied the game with a single to left and advanced all the way to third when Weglarz's throw home hit Corley coming down the third base line. Jamie Romak then flared a single to center to score Pacheco and put the Curve in front 2-1 before Lofgren got James Boone on a fly to center for the final out.

Akron responded immediately in the top of the eighth however, as Rivero greeted reliever Jeff Sues with a booming double to right center. Beau Mills flied out, but Jared Goedert muscled a single to right-center to put men on the corners, and Matt McBride then ripped an RBI double off the base of the wall in left to score Rivero with the tying run and set the stage for Weglarz. Sues quickly fell behind Weglarz with three straight balls, and at that point could have elected to walk him with first base open. The right-hander chose to challenge the white-hot Canadian however, and given the green light Weglarz demolished a fastball to put the Aeros in front to stay. Hector Rondon navigated some rough waters in the eighth, allowing a run but fooling Delaney with a changeup that led to an inning-ending double play before Vinnie Pestano turned in a scoreless ninth.

Lofgren (3-0) earned his second straight win with his team-high fourth quality start of 2009. The "Big Swede" held Altoona to just two runs and six hits in a season-high seven innings, walking none and striking out four. Curve starter Brad Lincoln was excellent as well, allowing just a run on five hits over seven innings of his own but ultimately receiving a no-decision. Sues (1-2) suffered the loss in relief while Pestano claimed his league-leading 11th save. Weglarz finished 2-4 with his fourth home run of the year and three RBI, and is now hitting .444 with three homers and 18 RBI in just 11 games this month. He also passed Carlos Santana for the team lead in RBI overall with 24. Rivero and Head both finished with two hits apiece.

Games three and four in this five-game series are set for 5:05 p.m. Saturday with game one of a doubleheader. Erik Stiller (1-2, 3.79 ERA) will go for Akron in the opener while Altoona counters with Jared Hughes (1-4, 2.22 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 4:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 WARF-AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2009


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