Game Recap 6/24: Drennan Strikes Again

Aeros Take Series With Squirrels, Win 3-2

The Aeros defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels Thursday afternoon at Canal Park by the final score of 3-2 despite three fielding errors and a 19-minute rain delay. The rubber match of this three-game series turned into a drawn-out pitcher’s duel between Squirrels ace Daryl Maday and a slew of Akron pitchers. A decisive RBI single from left fielder John Drennen then was the difference yet again in front of 4,946 fans with the special 12:05 p.m. start time. With the win, the Aeros are now even at 36-36 on the season while division rival Richmond (33-40) has lost 18 of their last 24 games.

Brief yet heavy rainfall pounded the Canal Park field in the top of the second inning with lefty starter Nick Hagadone pitching against the Squirrels. The delay lasted just under 20 minutes and the Akron offense started the scoring in the bottom half of that frame.

Drennen hit into the first of many double plays on the day before Carlos Rivero and Jerad Head each collected two-out singles. Left fielder Tim Fedroff and catcher Miguel Perez followed with run-scoring base hits to move the Aeros on top by the score of 2-0.

The lead would not last for long as the Flying Squirrels retaliated in the top half of the third. Leadoff DH Darren Ford singled to left, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Brandon Crawford drew a walk. Ford then scored on yet another Hagadone wild throw and Thomas Neal made it 2-2 with an RBI liner to center.

Continuing the early offense, the Aeros took the lead for good in the bottom of that inning. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall each singled to start a rally while Matt McBride hit into a fielder’s choice. Drennen followed with the game-winner on a liner to center, scoring Kipnis and giving the Akron pitching staff all the run support they would need.

Only one runner would reach third base in the final six frames of the contest as Richmond stranded 10 men total on base and the hosts hit into a season-high four double plays.

Bryan Price (2-2) earned the win in relief for as he pitched two shutout innings with two strikeouts in relief of Hagadone. Maday (8-4) entered the game with the best ERA in the Eastern League but took the loss by allowing 11 hits over 7.2 innings pitched. Steven Wright also earned his third save of the year as he along with Price and Connor Graham provided six frames of one-hit shutout relief for the Aeros overall.

McBride and Drennen each finished with a pair of singles as in fact, every single Akron batter collected a base hit in the game. In fact, all 16 hits in the contest between both teams were singles and the Aeros are now 7-3-1 in their last 11 series.

Early runs, Huff pace Clippers

David Huff got some early run support and worked into the eighth inning of his first start of the year for the Clippers Thursday afternoon, leading the Columbus to a 5-3 victory over the Rochester Red Wings.

The Clippers scored three runs in the opening inning getting consecutive hits from Michael Brantley, Josh Rodriguez, Matt LaPorta and Jordan Brown right off the bat. Rodriguez added a solo home run in the fourth and Chris Gimenez did the same in the fifth.

Huff pitched around 11 hits in seven-and-two-thirds innings, allowing just two runs while striking out five. Spending his entire season to date with Cleveland, Huff threw a season-high 114 pitches in his Clippers debut. Vinnie Pestano worked the final inning-and-a-third for his third save of the season.

The win was the third in a row for Columbus, giving them a 4-3 road trip and a season series split with the Red Wings (who took three of four in Columbus earlier this month).

Kinston Beats Lynchburg 2-1 to Start Second Half

Another solid pitching performance propelled Kinston to a 2-1 victory over Lynchburg Thursday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Joey Mahalic, Travis Turek, Matt Langwell and Cory Burns combined to limit the Hillcats to one run on six hits.

Lynchburg starter Jordan Hotchkiss was the headliner early, however, as he retired the first seven batters he faced. The Indians would breakthrough in the third inning. Chris Kersten reached on an infield single and Ronald Rivas followed with a single to right. Following a Karexon Sanchez fielder's choice, Lucas Montero shot a sharp line drive into center field. The ball was misplayed by Lynchburg's Efrain Contreras and went over his head and to the wall for a two-run double. Montero was thrown out after the runs had scored as he took too big of a turn off of second base, but the K-Tribe had a 2-0 lead.

Kinston starting pitcher Joey Mahalic had his second consecutive strong outing, with the only run he allowed coming in the sixth inning. With one out, Mahalic allowed a base hit to Josh Fellhauer before Mahalic was relieved by Travis Turek. Turek surrendered an RBI double to Kyle Day, scoring Fellhauer and cutting the K-Tribe lead to 2-1. In five and one-third innings, Mahalic (3-1) conceded one run on four hits, walked three and matched a season-high with six strikeouts. Turek would not give up another hit, striking out one. Langwell earned his Carolina League leading ninth hold of the season with a hitless eighth inning. Cory Burns picked up his eleventh save for the K-Tribe, allowing one hit and striking out one in the ninth inning. Hotchkiss (4-1) was saddled with the loss for Lynchburg, going five and one-third, surrendering two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out four.

Longmire's slam propels Muckdogs over Scrappers

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers lost the Batavia Muckdogs 6-3 tonight at Eastwood Field to lose the opener of a two-game series.

Muckdogs center fielder Nicholas Longmire hit a grand slam in the seventh inning proved to be the difference. The Scrappers were led offensively by Aaron Fields who had two doubles one of which drove in two runs.

J.D. Reichanbach allowed the grand slam to Longmire and was saddled with the loss working three innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits.

Despite getting a no decision, Kirk Wetmore pitched going five innings, striking out six and allowing just two earned runs.

Jose Rada picked up his first win of the season for the Muckdogs.

Note: The Captains were off tonight for their respective All-Star break.

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