Daily Recap: 08/13

Aeros lose late, fall into 2nd place

Connecticut 3B David Maroul launched an 8th inning home run off Aeros starter Kevin Dixon to send the Aeros to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Defenders in front of 4,287 fans at Canal Park on Wednesday night. The loss dropped the Aeros into 2nd place in the Southern Division of the Eastern League for the first time since June 15th, but they still hold a 5 game lead over Harrisburg for the final Southern Division playoff spot.

Dixon (8-9) allowed all 3 runs in his 8 innings of work off 6 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts to pick up the tough luck loss in spite of recording his team leading 14th quality start of the year.

The Aeros jumped out a 2-0 lead with single runs in each of the first two innings on a Wes Hodges RBI single and Nate Panthers 6th home run of the season.

The Defenders tied the game up in the 4th on a 2-run HR by C Adam Witter.

The Aeros couldn't muster much on offense, but did threaten in the 9th inning against Defenders reliever Ronnie Ray (6-2). Ryan Goleski, leading off the inning, sliced an opposite field double down the right field line and tried to stretch it into a triple after RF Mike Mooney struggled to get a handle on the ball; Goleski appeared to beat the throw to 3B, but was called out after seemingly coming off the bag as the tag was applied. Goleski and Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh protested, but were ejected from the game.

The Aeros will send RHP JD Martin to the mound on Thursday night looking to avoid their first 4-game losing streak of the season.


Mahalic, Archer pitch Captains to DH Sweep

19-year old RHPs Chris Archer and Joey Mahalic both allowed only 1 run as the Captains swept the Columbus Catfish by a score of 4-1 in game 1 and 5-1 in game 2.

Mahalic (7-4) worked 6 excellent innings allowing just the one run in game 1 off 5 hits to improve his record to an impressive 4-2, 2.33ERA over his last 10 starts. RHP Mike Pontius worked around a pair of walks to pitch a scoreless 7th inning to record his 2nd save of the year in his first appearance since being sent back down to Lake County.

In game 2, Archer (4-8) worked 5 innings allowing the 1 run off 5 hits with a walk and 3Ks. Paulo Espino and Jon Holt each worked a scoreless frame to close out the win; with Holt stretching his personal scoreless streak to 15.2 innings.

The Captains banged out a big inning in both games to seal the wins; a 3-run rally in the 4th inning of game 1 highlighted by Karexon Sanchez's 10th HR of the season and a 4-run rally in the 6th inning of game 2 with Matthew Brown launching his 8th HR of the season.


In other games...

- Buffalo with another scheduled off-day

- Kinston rained out

- Scrappers fall 4-0 to Oneonta Tigers. Matt Langwell (1-4) took the loss allowing 2ER in 3 innings of work. Lonnie Chisenhall back in the lineup after missing one game with a contusion on his right hand finished 1-for-4.

- GCL Indians rally for 2 runs in the 9th to beat Tigers 7-6. TJ McFarland with the start allowing 4 runs (3 earned) in 4IP. 2B Rafael Vera with a huge night finishing 3-for-3 with 2 doubles, 2 walks and 3RBI.

- DSL Indians lose 7-6 to D'Backs in game called after 6 because of rain. LHP Elvis Arajuo struggled allowing 4 runs (2 earned) in 1IP. Wady Pinales (0-1) allowed 3 runs (1 earned) in 2IP to take the loss. Kelvin Diaz didn't play and hasn't started a game since Aug 9th - injury??

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