Results tagged ‘ Cristo Arnal ’
Aerodynamics 08/29: Game #134
Game #134 · Sunday, August 29, 2010 · 1:35 P.M.
Home Game #71 · Canal Park· Akron, OH
Akron Aeros (69-64) vs. Erie SeaWolves (59-74)
Cleveland
Indians Detroit
Tigers
Aeros Stat of the Day:
- The Aeros have won all 10 games
against Erie at Canal Park this year and 19 straight at home dating back to May
25, 2009. Over that stretch, Akron has outscored the SeaWolves 135-38.
Aerodynamics…
- Goose
eggs recalled… The
Aeros shutout Erie for the second time in this four-game series with a 9-0
decision. The Aeros struck first when designated hitter Jerad Head hit in
center fielder Jordan Henry on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice in which the
SeaWolves attempted to turn a double play in the first inning. Right fielder
John Drennen eventually took advantage with an RBI-single to right field that
scored second baseman Jason Kipnis. Head faced another bases-loaded opportunity
in the second and he promptly delivered with a two-RBI double down the left
field line that scored shortstop Cristo Arnal and Henry. First baseman Beau
Mills followed with a two-RBI single that scored third baseman Lonnie
Chisenhall and Head for a 6-0 lead. Head added his fourth RBI of the night in
the fourth with a sacrifice fly that brought in Kipnis. The Aeros scored
insurance runs in the seventh and eighth to cement the win.
- EL
Shutouts… Akron
has shut out Erie three times this season, and is tied with Trenton with the
most shutouts in the league with 12. The Aeros are 12-4 in shutout games this
year while the Thunder holds a 12-5 record in shutout games.
- Happy
Birthday… Left-handed
starter Matt Packer celebrated his 23rd birthday in style as he shut
out the SeaWolves and struck out eight batters, the most he has had with the
Aeros, through six innings of work. The Germantown, Tenn. earned his first
Double-A win and improved to 1-2. Erie starter Jon Kibler (5-5) took the loss
after he gave up seven runs on seven hits with six walks and two strikeouts in
four innings.
- Head scalps Erie… Outfielder Jerad Head continues to be successful against the
SeaWolves as he recorded his 10th multi-RBI game of the season with
the Aeros Saturday as he hit in four runners. It’s the second time the Topeka,
Kan. native has batted in four runs this year. Head has the highest batting
average (.425) and the most RBI (13) of any current Aeros player against Erie.
- Duplicating Drennen… Outfielder John Drennen has went 2-4 with a double in each of the
past four games. The San Diego native has hit in six RBI and scored three runs
during that stretch.
- Post-season
setting up… Akron
improved their playoff chances as they gained a game on current Western
Division wild card leader Harrisburg with the Senators 2-1 loss to Trenton, as
well as third-place Bowie as they fell 6-5 to New Britain. The Aeros are now
2.5 games back of the wild card lead with nine games remaining. Altoona
defeated Richmond Saturday night meaning they stay 10 games in front of Akron,
thus eliminating them from winning the regular season division title. Trenton
and New Hampshire both have clinched playoff spots in the east. If the Aeros
win the wild card, they will play the Western Division champions on September 8
and 9 before returning to Canal Park on Friday, Sept. 10. If necessary, Game 4
will be in Akron on Saturday, Sept. 11 and Game 5 will be on the road on
Sunday, Sept. 12.
Aerodynamics 08/28: Game #133
Game #133 · Saturday, August 28, 2010 · 7:05 P.M.
Home Game #70 · Canal Park· Akron, OH
Akron Aeros (68-64) vs. Erie SeaWolves (59-73)
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Aeros Stat of the Day:
- The Aeros’ 12 wins against Erie
are the most they’ve had against any Eastern League team this season. Their
.750 winning percentage is the second highest behind New Britain (.833).
Aerodynamics…
- Walking
home… The Aeros
pulled away from Erie in the second half of the game to defeat the SeaWolves
5-2. A scoreless tie was broken in the bottom of the fifth inning when the
Aeros rallied with two outs to score a pair of runs. After catcher Juan Apodaca
and shortstop Cristo Arnal both hit singles, center fielder Jordan Henry walked
to load the bases. Second baseman Jason Kipnis also walked to force in the
first run. Arnal scored soon after on a wild pitch by Brayan Villarreal to give
Akron a 2-0 lead. Erie answered in the sixth when Brandon Douglas scored from
third when Bryan Pounds grounded out unassisted to first with one out. Akron
cushioned their lead on a second bases loaded walk when third baseman Lonnie
Chisenhall took a base on balls to force in Arnal in the seventh. Designated
hitter Jerad Head proceeded to hit a double to left center field that scored
Henry and Kipnis. Erie struck back in the eighth after Rawley Bishop hit an
RBI-single, but could not take advantage and left the bases loaded as Akron won
5-2.
Mission
statement… Right
handed starter Corey Kluber earned the win to even out his record at 2-2. The
Coppell, Texas native allowed one run on eight hits. Kluber struck-out five
SeaWolves against one walk over seven innings of work. He now has 157 combined
strikeouts on the year with 136 during his time with the Double A Texas League
San Antonio Missions. That currently tops the list for most in Double A this
season, 14 better than Harrisburg’s Tom Milone, and sixth in all of minor
league baseball.
- Save
me… Reliever
Omar Aguilar recorded his seventh save of the season after he came on in the
ninth to secure the win. The Merced, Calif. native is currently fourth in the
Eastern League in the category of highest strikeouts per nine innings pitched
ratio for relievers at 10.53 with 69 strikeouts over 59 innings pitched.
- Here’s
Johnny… Outfielder
John Drennen has gone 2-for-4 in each of his past three games against Erie and
Bowie. The San Diego, Calif. native now has a team-high 36 multi-hit games,
four ahead of fellow outfielder Tim Fedroff. Drennen currently has a batting
average of .304, third in the Eastern League behind Bowie’s Ryan Adams (.305)
and Reading’s Tagg Bozied (.318).
Tick
tock… Akron
remains 3.5 games behind Harrisburg for the Western Division wild card. Bowie
also remains ahead of the Aeros as the Baysox trail the Senators by 1.5 games.
The defending Eastern League champions’ elimination number now stands at eight.
That number will go down by one anytime the Aeros lose or the wild card leader
wins.
Spirit
fingers… On
Saturday, the first 1,000 fans will receive a foam finger giveaway sponsored by
the Akron Canton Airport. The airport will also be giving away a free AirTran
airline voucher to two lucky fans in attendance. Sunday will be the final
Family Pack Sunday and will be sponsored by the Duquesne Incline where fans can
buy four tickets, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks, and four bags of chips
for only $48!
Aerodynamics 08/25: Game #130
Game #130 · Wednesday, August 25, 2010 · 7:05 P.M.
Away Game #63 · Prince George’s Stadium· Bowie, MD
Akron Aeros (65-64) vs. Bowie Baysox (68-61)
Cleveland
Indians
Baltimore Orioles
Aeros Stat of the Day:
- Akron broke a string of four
games of scoring no runs or one run with Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the Baysox.
The Aeros are 10-47 when scoring three runs or less.
Aerodynamics…
- Part
One… The first
game ended up being a two-day pitchers’ duel as the only run of the ballgame
came in Bowie’s sixth inning when Ryan Adams hit a home run over the left field
fence. As a result, Chen-Chang Lee took the loss and fell to 5-4 despite giving
up only two other hits and striking out five batters against one walk in 3.1
innings of work. Brandon Cooney, now 3-2, earned the win after he pitched the
sixth inning in relief with just one hit. Pedro Beato recorded his 16th
save of the season. Both teams combined for eight hits with Akron tallying five
and Bowie three.
- The
sequel… The
Aeros finally broke out of their offensive slump in the third inning of game
two. Shortstop Cristo Arnal and centerfielder Tim Fedroff both reached safely
on separate fielding errors to start the rally. Second baseman Jason Kipnis
followed with a single to right field scoring Arnal and sending Fedroff to
third. Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall capped the inning with a home run to
left-center field to put Akron up 4-0. Bowie scored in the bottom of the third
when Jonathan Tucker scored during Xavier Avery’s swipe of second base. Akron
got the run back in the next inning when Arnal hit a solo home run to left
field. Errors plagued the Baysox once again in the fifth as right fielder Jerad
Head scored on a throwing error by Greg Miclat and made the score 6-1. Two
Bowie runs were scored in the sixth on two-straight bases loaded walks to put
the game at its 6-3 final.
- Cruzin’…
Left-handed
starter Kelvin De La Cruz earned the win to improve to 5-6. The southpaw gave
up one run on four hits with six strikeouts against two walks over five innings
of work. Bowie starter Ryohei Tanaka took the loss to fall to 6-12 after five
runs scored (one earned) on seven hits over four innings. Right-handed reliever
Omar Aguilar then came in to get the final out of the sixth and retired the
side in the seventh to record his sixth save.
- Arnal
night… With
infielder Cristo Arnal’s home run Tuesday night, the Caracas, Venezuela native
has now hit safely in 10 of his past 12 games. In his past 10 games, Arnal is
10-32 for a .313 average with a double, triple, home run, four RBI, and eight
runs.
- Last
stand… Akron
enters tonight 3.5 games back of second-place Harrisburg for the wild card.
Third-place Bowie is also ahead of the Aeros by three games. Tonight’s game
against the Baysox is Akron’s last against either club this regular season.
- Triple
play promotion… Akron
returns home Thursday for their last home stand of the year with a four-game
series against the Erie SeaWolves. There will be an Alex White poster giveaway
sponsored by Busson Digital for the first 2,000 fans through the gates of Canal
Park. It is also Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank Drive Night sponsored by the
Akron Plan where fans can bring a canned food item to the game and receive a $5
ticket! It is also the last Thirsty Thursday of the year where dollar drafts
and sodas are available through the end of the seventh inning.
Aeros Recap 08/24: Aeros Split with Sox
The Aeros remained competitive in the western division wild card race with a doubleheader split against the Baysox Tuesday night. Bowie won game one 1-0, which was originally started Monday. Akron bounced back with a 6-3 triumph in game two. The Aeros are now 65-64 while the Baysox are 68-61.
The first game ended up being a two-day pitchers’ duel as the only run of the ballgame came in Bowie’s sixth inning when Ryan Adams hit a home run over the left field fence.
As a result, Chen-Chang Lee took the loss and fell to 5-4 despite giving up only two hits and striking out five batters against one walk in 3.1 innings of work. Brandon Cooney, now 3-2, earned the win after he pitched the sixth inning in relief with just one hit. Pedro Beato recorded his 16th save of the season. Both teams combined for eight hits
The Aeros finally broke out of their offensive slump in the fourth inning of game two. Shortstop Cristo Arnal and centerfielder Tim Fedroff both reached safely on separate fielding errors to start the rally. Second baseman Jason Kipnis followed with a single to right field scoring Arnal and sending Fedroff to third. Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall capped the inning with a home run to left-center field to put Akron up 4-0.
Bowie scored in the bottom of the third when Jonathan Tucker scored during Xavier Avery’s swipe of second base. Akron would get the run back in the top of the fourth Arnal hit a solo home run to left field. Errors plagued the Baysox once again in the fifth as right fielder Jerad Head scored on a throwing error by Greg Miclat and made the score 6-1.
The Baysox made a comeback attempt in the sixth as two-straight bases loaded walks allowed Joseph Mahoney and Brandon Waring to score and cut the score to 6-3. Right-handed reliever Omar Aguilar then came in to get the final out of the sixth and retired the side in the seventh to record his sixth save.
Left-handed starter Kelvin De La Cruz earned the win to improve to 5-6. The southpaw gave up one run on four hits with six strikeouts against two walks over five innings of work. Bowie starter Ryohei Tanaka took the loss to fall to 6-12 after five runs scored (one earned) on seven hits over four innings.
The Aeros are now 3.5 games behind Harrisburg for the Western Division wild card, but still have to catch up with Bowie, who is a half game behind the Senators. Akron has 13 games remaining in the season, but Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Baysox is their last against the two teams in front of them. Aeros staff ace Alex White (7-7, 2.44 ERA) hopes to continue Akron’s winning streak against Bowie’s Eddie Gamboa (6-4, 3.67 ERA). Join Ken Carman for Wednesday’s radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Akron Aeros team offices at (330) 253-5151.
Recap 08/14: Aeros Collect 20 Hits, Win 12-2 Saturday
AKRON,
OH – The Aeros recorded a season-high 20 hits during their 12-2 triumph over the
New Britain Rock Cats Saturday evening before a crowd of 3,847 fans at Canal
Park. Akron scored early and often with nine runs through the first three
innings en route to a third straight victory, a second straight over the Rock
Cats. The game began after a 59-minute rain delay as the Aeros improved to
61-57 and New Britain dropped to 34-86.
Akron’s
scoring began quickly against Rock Cats starter Cole DeVries as third baseman
Lonnie Chisenhall singled with two outs in the first. First baseman Beau Mills
followed with an RBI double and right fielder John Drennen extended the lead to
2-0 a single to right.
The
blowout continued in the second as catcher Juan Apodaca drew a one-out walk and
designated hitter Cristo Arnal singled. An error later scored Apodaca before
Chisenhall gave the Aeros a six-run advantage with a three-run home run to the
bullpen in right.
After
a strikeout began the third inning, Akron rallied with five consecutive singles
including RBI hits from center fielder Jordan Henry and second baseman Jason
Kipnis. Chisenhall followed again to extend the edge to 9-0 with a sacrifice
fly to center.
Henry
singled to start a fifth inning burst and Kipnis walked against reliever Mike
McCardell. Yet again, Chisenhall drove home the run with a single before New
Britain finally scored in the top of the sixth. Starter Alex White permitted a
sacrifice fly in that frame and reliever Bryan Price then allowed an RBI single
to Mark Dolenc in the seventh.
The
top of the Aeros order sparked the final scoring of the night against McCardell
in the seventh. Henry walked, pinch-hitter Justin Toole singled and another
error gave Akron an 11-2 lead. Mills then recorded an RBI with a groundout to
first to provide for the last run.
The
right-hander White (7-6) was solid on the mound in earning the win with six
efficient innings in his team-leading 11th quality start. He allowed
just one run on three hits with three strikeouts, recording a career-high 13
groundball outs. DeVries (1-5) took the loss in the spot-start, permitting nine
runs (five earned) on 11 hits in his three frames.
Every
Aeros batter recorded at least one hit in the game for the second straight game
against the Rock Cats. In fact, everyone but Kipnis and Toole finished with two
base hits in the game highlighted by a career performance from Chisenhall. He
finished 3-for-4 at the plate with his 15th home run and set a new personal
Double-A high with five RBI.
Akron’s
weeklong home ends Sunday against New Britain at 1:35 p.m. for a Family Fun Day
at Canal Park. The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens sponsors
tomorrow’s Family Packs, a special offer of four tickets, four hot dogs, four
bags of chips and four soft drinks for only $48 while all kids can also run the
bases after the game.
The Aeros look for the sweep tomorrow with newcomer
Corey Kluber (0-2, 10.13 ERA) on the mound against New Britain’s Bobby Lanigan
(2-1, 3.95 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Sunday afternoon’s
radio broadcast beginning at 1:20 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Recap 08/13: Aeros Blast Rock Cats Friday, Win 11-7
AKRON,
OH – A franchise-record tying three triples and a seven-run fifth inning
highlighted an 11-7 victory for the Aeros Friday night over the visiting New
Britain Rock Cats. Akron pounded 17 hits on the night including six of the
extra-base variety while tying season-highs with the six runs and seven base
hits in the fifth. The win improved the Aeros to 60-57 this season and just 2.5
games behind second-place Bowie in the Western Division wild card race while
the last-place Rock Cats fell to 34-85.
New
Britain began the scoring early against Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz in the
first two frames. Juan Portes plated two runs with a double to left and an RBI
single from Joe Benson gave the visitors a quick 3-0 advantage.
Two
errors helped the Aeros later in that second as a misplayed infield single
turned into a run and center fielder Jordan Henry continued the rally with a
run-scoring hit to center.
De
La Cruz struggled again in the third inning as the Rock Cats extended their
lead to 6-2. Two more walks preceded a clutch two-out, three-run home run into
the left field canal from Jeff Howell that put the hosts in a large early
deficit.
Akron’s
comeback began in the third on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Carlos Rivero
before the record-tying fifth inning. Second baseman Jason Kipnis homered to
begin the frame against starter Deolis Guerra while Rivero knocked Guerra out
of the game with an RBI double to left-center.
After the second out of the inning, catcher Juan Apodaca followed with a
pivotal 12-pitch walk that created even more opportunities for the Aeros.
Designated
hitter Cristo Arnal then cleared the bases with a three-run triple to left and
Henry tripled him home on a liner to dead center. Kipnis then recorded his
second RBI of the frame on a single to left to extend the lead to 10-6 and
cement the lead for good.
Mark
Dolenc hit a solo home run to begin the sixth and another Akron RBI triple in
the seventh, this time from left fielder Tim Fedroff, provided for the final
margin of the night.
Nick
Hagadone (2-1) earned the victory with two innings of relief, allowing one run
but pitching in the midst of the offensive attack. Guerra (2-9) permitted seven
runs (five earned) on 10 hits in just 4.1 innings pitched and he now has a 0-6
record in his last seven starts. De La Cruz surrendered six runs with six walks
in four frames in the start but relievers Chen-Chang Lee and Omar Aguilar
retired the final nine New Britain batters.
Seven
of the nine Aeros hitters finished with at least two hits led by Henry’s three
hits and his third triple of the season. Arnal tied a career-high with three RBI
via his fifth inning triple as well and this was the sixth instance of three
three-baggers in franchise history.
Akron’s
home stand continues tomorrow against New Britain at 7:05 p.m. for an exciting Saturday
night at Canal Park. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a replica
of the 2009 Akron Aeros Eastern League Championship ring, sponsored by Distillata
Water. The hit show “Beer Money” from Sports Time Ohio will also film around
the stadium.
The Aeros aim for a third straight victory Saturday
with ace Alex White (6-6, 2.45 ERA) on the mound against a to-be-determined
pitcher for the Rock Cats. Join Jim Clark for Saturday
night’s radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Recap 08/07: Chisenhall Homers Twice, Aeros Win 10-6
NEW
BRITAIN, CT – The Aeros defeated the New Britain Rock Cats 10-6 in a slugfest
Saturday night, jumping back to their winning ways the night after snapping a season-high
six-game losing streak. Third baseman
Lonnie Chisenhall homered twice in the final three innings as Akron overcame a
rough Double-A debut from left-hander T.J. McFarland in front of 6,489 fans at
New Britain Stadium. With the win, the Aeros (58-54) are now 3.5 games behind
the Western Division wild card and the Rock Cats fell to 33-81.
Akron
started with a bang in the top of the second against New Britain starting
pitcher Deolis Guerra. First baseman Beau Mills led off the second with a
double and shortstop Carlos Rivero created an early 1-0 advantage with an RBI
single to right field.
The
lead did not last long as the Rock Cats responded against McFarland in the bottom
half of the frame. Erik Lis smashed a two-run homer to right field while a
double-steal, double-error play plated two more to create a three-run deficit
for the Aeros.
New
catcher Juan Apodaca promptly led another rally in the top of the third with a
single before back-to-back singles from left fielder Cristo Arnal and center
fielder Jordan Henry loaded the bases. A wild pitch scored Apodaca and Akron
reclaimed a 6-4 lead on two-run singles from second baseman Jason Kipnis and
right fielder John Drennen.
New
Britain tied the game in the bottom of that frame on four singles and a
run-scoring walk but the visitors re-claimed the edge for good in the fourth.
Designated hitter Tim Fedroff started with a double and later scored on Guerra’s
third wild pitch of the game.
Reliever
Steven Wright led the charge for the Aeros bullpen after that inning and
Chisenhall helped the team add to the lead in the seventh. He homered to
left-center with one-out in the frame before Drennen recorded another RBI
double, and in the ninth, Chisenhall provided for the final margin on yet
another blast to right with a full count.
Wright
(1-1) earned the victory by recording a pair of shutout innings of relief with
three strikeouts and a lone walk. Guerra (2-8) struggled mightily in taking the
loss, permitting seven runs on nine hits in just four innings pitched.
McFarland allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits with two walks and five
strikeouts in four frames after earning the promotion from Class A Kinston
earlier in the day. Akron’s bullpen followed with five innings of one-hit
shutout baseball led by performances from Wright and Bryan Price.
Chisenhall
finished 3-for-5 on the night with his two homers and three runs scored, now
ranking second on the team with 14 home runs this year. Mills, Fedroff, Apodaca
and Drennen each collected two hits as well and the latter delivered a
game-high three RBI.
The
Aeros conclude their weeklong road trip Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium
with a 1:35 p.m. first pitch time in the series finale against the Rock Cats. Akron
ace right-hander Alex White (6-5, 1.84 ERA) hopes to complete the three-game sweep
against New Britain’s Kyle Gibson (6-5, 3.61 ERA). Join Ken Carman for Sunday afternoon’s
radio broadcast beginning at 1:35 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For more information,
please call the Akron Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Recap 08/05: Curve Complete Sweep, Defeat Aeros 6-1
ALTOONA,
PA – Akron matched a season-high with a sixth straight loss Thursday as the
Altoona Curve finished a four-game sweep with a 6-1 victory at Blair County
Ballpark. Despite just one earned run charged against Aeros pitchers Kelvin De
La Cruz and Nick Hagadone in front of the crowd of 4,316 fans, the offense again
could not muster enough support. Altoona improved to 65-46 with the win while fourth-place
Akron fell to 56-54 on the season, 4.5 games behind the wild card-leading Bowie
Baysox.
Lefty
starters De La Cruz and Altoona’s Tony Watson combined to retire the first 21
batters of the contest before a big bottom of the fourth inning. Josh Harrison
reached base on a one-out hit by pitch, stole second and third base before scoring
on an RBI single from Matt Hague. After a throwing error from De La Cruz, two
singles, a balk and a walk followed to give the Curve a quick 4-0 advantage.
Right
fielder John Drennen recorded the first Aeros hit in the fifth but Watson
cruised through his six frames. Reliever Ramon Aguero entered in the seventh
and after stranding a runners, Akron rallied in the eighth. Second baseman
Jason Kipnis walked with one out with a runner on first and Lonnie Chisenhall singled
to center, scoring Cristo Arnal.
Andrew
Lambo singled to start the bottom of that eighth while a throwing error by
Chisenhall extended the lead to 5-1. Two batters later, Hagadone permitted an
RBI infield single to Yung Chi Chen to provide for the final run of the game.
Watson
(4-1) allowed just two hits in his six scoreless frames while earning the
victory, striking out three batters in his third start of the year. De La Cruz
(4-6) took the loss in allowing four runs (one earned) in his five innings,
walking one with five strikeouts but his error was the crucial difference. Hagadone then permitted two more unearned runs
with two strikeouts in his three innings pitched because of Chisenhall’s error in
the eighth.
Drennen
and left fielder Tim Fedroff each collected a pair of hits on the night while
Akron finished with only seven runs and 24 hits in the series. The Aeros had
gone 36-18 in a stretch from May 31st through July 30th,
but have struggled thus far in the month of August.
Akron’s
weeklong road trip continues Friday night at 7:05 p.m. as the team heads over
to Connecticut for the start of a three-game series against the New Britain
Rock Cats. Aeros starter and nearby Chicopee, MA native Scott Barnes (5-8, 5.16
ERA) makes the start at New Britain Stadium against Chris Province (5-3, 4.91
ERA) of the Rock Cats. Join Ken Carman for Friday’s radio broadcast beginning
at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Recap 08/03: Altoona Sweeps Tuesday Twin Bill with Aeros
ALTOONA,
PA – The first-place Altoona Curve defeated the Aeros twice Tuesday evening,
earning a 4-3 victory in Game 1 followed by a 3-2 victory in the 10th
inning in the finale. Akron ace Alex
White took the loss in the opener in front of 4,542 fans at Blair County
Ballpark while a quality start from lefty Matt Packer in his Akron debut was
not enough in the extra-inning finale. Akron (56-52) has now lost four straight
and moved into a fourth place tie in the Western Division with Harrisburg as Altoona
improved to 63-46.
Altoona
started the scoring in the bottom of the first against White in the opener. An
RBI single by Andrew Lambo preceded an Aeros outburst against Curve lefty
Justin Wilson in the second. Four hits, highlighted by back-to-back two-out
hits from center fielder Jordan Henry and second baseman Jason Kipnis, gave the
visitors an early 3-1 lead.
The
lead did not last long as the Curve responded in the bottom of the fourth
inning with two outs and runners on first and third base. Yung-Chi Chen later
delivered a two-run single and Chase d’Arnaud provided the game-winner on a
base hit to right-center.
Wilson
(9-6) retired the final 10 batters he faced through his six innings pitched,
earning the crucial win while recovering from the rough second inning. White
(6-5) allowed four earned runs for the first time in 14 Double-A outings,
permitting seven hits in five frames. Michael Dubee recorded his second save of
the year with a perfect seventh inning.
In
the nightcap, Packer and Altoona starter Jared Hughes battled through the first
two frames before Akron began the scoring in the third. Shortstop Cristo Arnal
singled to begin the frame, stole both second and third and then scored on an
error by Josh Harrison. The Curve tied the score at 1-1 on a run-scoring
fielder’s choice in the bottom of that inning.
The
Aeros used a small ball attack again in the fourth when Kipnis initiated the
brief rally with a single. He moved to second on a wild pitch, took third on a
Lonnie Chisenhall fly out and then scored on a sacrifice fly from first baseman
Beau Mills. The lead stood until the bottom of the sixth when Harrison plated Chen
with a clutch single to right-center.
The
game advanced to extra innings where both bullpens maintained the dramatic tie
until the bottom of the 10th. Chen continued his impressive evening
with a single to left, moved to second on a controversial balk and scored on d’Arnaud’s
walk-off base hit to right.
Dustin
Molleken (4-4) earned the win for the Curve with by allowing a lone single in
the top of the final frame. Reliever Bryan Price (4-3) took the loss in his 2.1
innings, permitting three hits and three walks overall. Packer was dominant
after receiving the promotion from Class A Lake County earlier in the day,
limiting the powerful Altoona offense to just two runs (one earned) on six hits
with six strikeouts in seven efficient innings pitched.
Kipnis
starred offensively in the two games for the Aeros, finishing 4-for-7 with a
triple, a run scored and two RBI. Henry extended his hitting streak to 10 games
with two singles while the team finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring
position in the night’s second loss.
This
four-game series continues Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at Blair County
Ballpark between the Aeros and the Curve. Akron has yet to officially announce
a starting pitcher to face off against Altoona’s Rudy Owens (8-6, 2.92 ERA). Join
Ken Carman for Wednesday’s radio broadcast beginning at 5:15 p.m. on Fox Sports
1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com. For
more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
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