Daily Recap: 8/19

Aeros Blanked 8-0 as Woes Continue

NORWICH, CT – Connecticut struck for six runs in the first two innings and the Aeros couldn’t recover, dropping an 8-0 decision to the Defenders before 3,914 fans at Dodd Stadium Tuesday night. Connecticut improved to 65-63 with the win while Akron slipped to 73-57.

Aeros starter Kevin Dixon retired the first two hitters he faced, but an infield single followed by a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases. Simon Klink then put the Defenders ahead with a two-run single up the middle, and Carlos Sosa followed with a run-scoring hit to right to give Connecticut an early 3-0 advantage.

The Defenders sent another eight men to the plate in the second inning, scoring thrice more to put the game out of reach. Dave Maroul opened the frame with a double and scored on Josh Rodriguez’s fielding error, and run-scoring hits from Eliezer Alfonzo and Adam Witter swelled the lead to 6-0. Connecticut capped the scoring with single runs in the fourth and sixth.

Garrett Broshuis (13-8) earned the win for the home team, holding Akron to just three hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out seven. Dixon (8-10) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in four innings. He walked two and struck out three. Reliever Tony Sipp impressed with five strikeouts in two innings of relief work.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, with Akron’s J.D. Martin (9-3, 2.84 ERA) taking on Connecticut lefty Ben Snyder (1-5, 6.40 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:20 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

30 Runs Scored as Potomac Slips by K-Tribe

A combined 30 runs and 32 hits were put up by Potomac and Kinston in a 17-14 Nationals victory Tuesday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Kinston trailed 17-6 going into the bottom of the eighth inning before scoring seven runs in the eighth, then adding another and putting the tying run to plate in the ninth.

Kinston led 3-0 going into the second inning before Potomac exploded for seven runs. Potomac smacked six hits, sending 12 men to the plate in the seven run second, as two key Kinston errors lead to five unearned runs. Kinston traded blows with Potomac, trailing 11-6 before the Nationals blew the game open again with a six run seventh inning. Potomac batted around again, smacking five hits and opening up a 17-6 lead.

Kinston didn’t say die, batting around in the seventh inning. The five hit inning was capped off by a three-run Beau Mills home run. It was Mill’s Carolina League leading 21st home run of the season, giving him a Carolina League leading 89 RBIs. Kinston continued the rally in the bottom of the ninth inning when Niuman Romero led off with a single and Johnny Drennen followed with a double that glanced off the top of the centerfield wall. Kinston cut the score to 17-14 when an error by Potomac third baseman Stephen King plated Romero. Kinston would have added at least two more runs, but an inning saving diving catch by Nationals shortstop Michael Martinez saved the day. A would be bloop single by Kinston’s Lucas Montero was snagged by the falling shortstop on a web gem worthy stop. Romero went 4-for-5 with three RBI for Kinston. Montero went 3-for-6 with three runs scored. Mills went 2-for-5 with four RBI.

Kinston starter Carlton Smith (10-6) picked up the loss for Kinston, giving up ten runs (only four were earned) in four innings. Josh Tomlin had a fantastic outing from the bullpen late for Kinston. Pitching 2 2/3 hitless innings, striking out the final six batters he faced for a total of seven K’s on the night.

Kinston will try and snap a four game losing skid Wednesday night at Historic Grainger Stadium in the final game of the three game series with Potomac. Shawn Nottingham takes the mound for Kinston, game time 7pm.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo won 10-1. LHP Scotty Lewis bounced back from a rough Triple-A debut and was back to his masterful self in his second Buffalo start on Tuesday night. Lewis went 6 innings and allowed 1 run, 3 hits, 1 walk and had four strikeouts in his first Triple-A win. RHP John Meloan also pitched a scoreless-hitless inning of relief and had two strikeouts. OF Trevor Crowe went 3-for-5 with a 2B, DH Michael Aubrey went 1-for-4 with a HR and 2 RBI, and 1B Jordan Brown went 3-for-5 with a 2B and RBI.

- Lake County and Mahoning Valley had scheduled off days. The GCL Indians were postponed because of rain (they've had a ton of rainouts this year).

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