Game Recaps 5/14: Chen powers Akron to victory

Chun Chen (Photo: Lianna Holub)

Chen’s Homers Lead Aeros To Extra Inning Win

Chun Chen hit a game-winning two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning as the Akron Aeros won game three of a four-game series in extra innings against the Bowie Baysox 4-2 Saturday at Prince George’s Stadium.

Left-handed pitcher Pedro Viola allowed the two-run home run and suffered the loss for the Baysox.

Right-handed pitcher Matt Langwell got the win for Akron pitching two innings of relief, giving up one earned run on three hits and striking out two while walking none. Righty Cory Burns got the save pitching a scoreless bottom of the 10th inning, scattering two hits and striking out one.

The Aeros (17-19) scored first in the top of the third inning. Donnie Webb led off with a double to right field. With two outs, Juan Diaz doubled him home to give the Aeros a 1-0 lead.

Chen hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the fourth inning to give the Aeros a 2-0 lead. With his two home run night, Chen now has six home runs on the season.

The Baysox (18-18) got a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Diaz fielding error and tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning on a Ronnie Welty solo home run.

The Aeros won in extra innings on the Chen home run. Akron is now 1-1 in extra innings in 2011.

The Aeros will look for a series win against the Baysox Sunday. Akron will give the ball to left-hander Matt Packer, who is 0-5 with a 5.18 ERA this season. Right-handed pitcher Mitch Atkins will oppose him. Atkins is 1-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 2011. First pitch is at 2:05 p.m.

Indians Shut Down Clippers 4-2

Five Indianapolis pitchers, including starter Garrett Olson as well as relievers Sean Gallagher, Cesar Valdez, Tony Watson and Tim Wood combined to hold the International League's top offense to just two runs on five hits, while right fielder Andrew Lambo blasted a solo home run and drove in two to lead the Indians past the Columbus Clippers 4-2 Saturday at Victory Field.

The win bumps Indianapolis' record up to 14-23 this season, while Columbus' mark fell to 25-11 with the defeat. The victory is the third straight win for the Tribe this season, giving them their longest winning streak of the season, as well as the team's second consecutive win over the Clippers after dropping their first seven contests to Columbus this season.
RHP Mitch Talbot (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO), who was with the Clippers on a Major League Rehab Assignment, suffered the loss after surrendering two earned runs on six hits in his five frames. LHP Scott Barnes (3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) pitched the final three innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits while fanning three.

Columbus' only runs of the evening came in the final frame when a lead-off single by 1B Chad Huffman and walk by RF Jerad Head set the stage for 2B Jason Kipnis, who doubled the duo home to end the Indians' shutout threat.

The Indians continue their four-game series against Columbus on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. LHP Rudy Owens is expected to get the ball for the Tribe, while the Clippers are scheduled to send out RHP Zach McAllister.

Kinston Blanks Keys 5-0

Behind 14 hits and the starting pitching of Giovanni Soto, Kinston took down first place Frederick 5-0 Saturday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. It was the Indian’s fifth shutout of the season.
The K-Tribe’s 14 hits were the third most by the squad this season as every Kinston starter had a hit.

Tyler Holt led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, extending his consecutive on-base streak to 15 games, now the second longest streak in the Carolina League this season. Casey Frawley followed with a single of his own. Both runners would score when Frederick first baseman Tyler Townsend booted a grounder off of the bat of Kinston's Bo Greenwell. The K-Tribe bats would come to life again in the fourth inning. With two outs in the inning, Roberto Perez and Justin Toole singled. After a Tyler Holt walk, Frawley delivered a two RBI single. Up 4-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, Greenwell scored on an RBI single by Chase Burnette. Frederick's starter Oliver Drake gave up five runs on 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Drake (2-1) walked two and struck out four batters. Frawley, Abraham and Abreu each had two hits for Kinston. Toole went 3-for-4 for the K-Tribe.

Soto was fantastic on the hill for Kinston, giving up three hits through a season high seven innings of work. Soto (2-3) walked one and struck out a season high eight batters. Soto’s ERA is now 2.12. Tyler Sturdevant finished the game from the K-Tribe pen, giving up just one hit in two innings of work. Sturdevant struck out three and did not walk a batter. Sturdevant lowered his ERA to 0.90.

The K-Tribe (14-20) will try to take the series from Frederick (19-14) Sunday afternoon at Historic Grainger Stadium. 1:30 pm start time as T.J. House will take the mound for Kinston.

Captains and Whitecaps Game Suspended

The Lake County Captains game against the West Michigan Whitecaps scheduled for Saturday was suspended in the bottom of the fourth inning due to inclement weather. The game will be made up on Sunday prior to the scheduled game with game time 1:00 PM.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

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