EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Westbrook, Bullpen Lights Out in 4-0 Win

Published on May 23, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Jake Westbrook looked strong in six innings of work and the Aeros bullpen picked up where he left off in Akron's 4-0 win over Erie before 5,981 fans at Canal Park Friday. The Aeros claimed their fifth win in a row and raised their record to 23-21, while the SeaWolves dipped to 17-30. It was Akron's fifth shutout of the year and second in four days.

Westbrook, making a rehab start while recovering from a left intercostal strain, has been on Cleveland's 15-day disabled list since April 22nd. He worked quickly on this night however, finishing under his 90-pitch limit and allowing just three hits and four walks in six shutout innings. The Aeros played excellent defense behind him, and Westbrook himself made a sharp play in the second. Max St. Pierre chopped a ball down the third base line and Westbrook got off the mound quickly, fielded it with his bare hand, wheeled and fired a strike to Stephen Head at first. Then in the fourth with one down and runners at first and second, Justin Justice hit a sharp grounder into the hole at second that looked like it would score the first run of the game. Brandon Pinckney raced to his left however, made a diving stop, and flipped from his knees to Josh Rodriguez covering second, who then made leaping relay to retire Justice for the double play.

Erie starter Jon Connolly was just as good over the first six innings, allowing just three hits, but the Aeros got to him in the seventh for two runs. Chris Gimenez walked to lead off, and Head doubled him to third. Matt Whitney then singled to left to score Gimenez, and Nathan Panther lined a single to right to score Head and give Akron a 2-0 lead. In the eighth, Jose Constanza hustled out of the box on a ball roped into right-center and the speedy center fielder beat the throw to second for a leadoff double. Gimenez singled him in on a liner to center, and advanced to second on the throw home. Wes Hodges then drove home his league-leading 39th RBI on a single to center, plating Gimenez.

Jeff Stevens and Scott Roehl dominated SeaWolves hitters out of the bullpen, retiring all nine men they faced, including a stretch of six consecutive strikeouts. Stevens (5-1) picked up the win after replacing Westbrook, tossing two perfect innings and striking out four. Connolly (0-4) suffered the loss, finishing with four runs on eight hits in 7.2 innings after carrying a shutout into the seventh. Head paced the offense with a 3-4 effort, and Panther chipped in with a pair of hits as well. Pinckney finished 0-3 and saw his season-high 13-game hitting streak come to an end.

The Aeros will continue their eight-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night, as they take on the SeaWolves in game two of this four-game series. Akron left-hander Ryan Edell (1-3, 5.57 ERA) will go up against Erie southpaw Daniel Christensen (0-4, 5.23 ERA). Saturday is Flyaway Night at Canal Park with Akron-Canton Airport giving away two roundtrip tickets to anywhere AirTran Airways flies in the continental United States. 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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Eastern League Stories from May 23, 2008


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