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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Winfree Homer Leads Cats Past Aeros, 3-2

August 22, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - David Winfree hit a two-run homer, his fourth in as many games against Akron, and New Britain held off a late rally to earn a 3-2 win over the Aeros before 6,058 fans at New Britain Stadium Friday night. The Rock Cats improved to 56-74 while the Aeros fell to 75-58. Harrisburg also won Friday, meaning Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot remained at four.

Both teams missed out on opportunities early, with Aeros starter Ryan Edell escaping a second and third, one out jam in the second and Rock Cats starter Kyle Aselton then working out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the top of the third. Akron did take advantage of an opportunity in the fourth however, as Stephen Head led off with a single and Matt Whitney doubled him to third. Bronson Sardinha then made it 1-0 with an RBI single to right, and Damaso Espino followed with a high chopper to the left side that shortstop Steve Tolleson did well just to keep on the infield, as Whitney scored to make it 2-0.

New Britain got a run back in the bottom of the inning, as Winfree led off with a double and then moved to third on a one-out throwing error by shortstop Josh Rodriguez. The extra out came back to haunt the Aeros when Rodolfo Palacios delivered a two-out RBI single to right to cut the advantage in half at 2-1.

The Rock Cats took the lead for good in the fifth, as Edell retired the first two hitters of the inning before Danny Valenica sliced a double to left-center that flicked off the glove of a diving Nathan Panther in center. Winfree followed two pitches later with his 19th home run of the year, and the two-run shot put New Britain ahead to stay.

Akron had one final chance in the eighth, as one-out singles from Head and Whitney put runners of the corners for Sardinha. New Britain countered by brining on left-hander Jose Mijares from the bullpen, and on a full-count offering Sardinha lofted a fly ball into medium center field. Dustin Martin played it well and caught it with his momentum bringing him towards home plate, and the Aeros opted not to send Head from third. Espino then filed out on the next pitch to end the inning.

Aselton (6-6) turned in his second straight quality start and earned his second straight win against the Aeros, holding Akron to two runs and seven hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out four. Edell (6-8) was done in by the long ball for the second straight start, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings. He walked none and struck out three. The left-hander allowed just seven home runs in his first 19 starts this season, but has now surrendered seven dingers in his last six outings. He also allowed two homers in a defeat last Saturday against New Britain, accounting for all three Rock Cats runs. Head and Whitney led the offense, with Head collecting three of Akron's nine hits and Whitney chipping in with a pair of knocks.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Saturday, with Akron's Steven Wright (3-3, 4.69 ERA) taking on New Britain's Jay Rainville (8-9, 6.22 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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Eastern League Stories from August 22, 2008


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