Tagged: Damaso Espino
Aerodynamics Game #110: 08/05/10
GAME #110 ? THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 ? 7:00 P.M.
ROAD GAME #53 ? BLAIR COUNTY BALLPARK ? ALTOONA, PA
? Altoona Blues… Akron’s losing streak continued Wednesday night at the hands of the first-place Altoona Curve who earned a 5-1 victory at Blair County Ballpark. Lefty starter Rudy Owens limited the Aeros to a single hit through his six frames, with the only blast being a one-out solo home run by second baseman Jason Kipnis in the top of the first inning. The Curve responded with a run-scoring error in the second followed by two hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly in the third. Akron starter Corey Kluber left the game after another run scoring on an RBI single from Matt Hague in the fourth while Altoona scored the final run of the game against reliever Rob Bryson in the bottom of the seventh. Owens (9-6) earned the victory with his dominating performance, Kluber (0-1) took the loss and Tom Boleska recorded his second save of the season with a shutout final three frames.
Recap 07/26: Baysox Take Opener, Defeat Aeros 10-5
AKRON,
OH – The Bowie Baysox out-slugged the Aeros Monday night, earning a 10-5
victory in the first game of a three-game series at Canal Park. Amidst 29 total
hits, nine doubles, four errors and nine pitchers used in the three-hour and
21-minute marathon, the Baysox jumped an extra game in the tight Western
Division wild card race. With the win in front of the downtown Akron crowd of
7,661 fans on Dollar Dog Monday, second-place Bowie improved to 56-47 this
season with a two-game lead over the 53-48 Aeros.
Eastern
League All-Star Paolo Espino struggled in the start for Akron and allowed Bowie
to take an early lead in the third. A Tyler Henson RBI single scored Greg
Miclat and the Baysox added two more runs in the top of the fourth on a double
from Carlos Rojas.
Trailing
3-0, the Aeros responded in the bottom of the fourth as designated hitter Matt
McBride and first baseman Beau Mills began the frame with back-to-back doubles.
Right fielder Jerad Head then scored Mills with a single but Bowie continued to
hammer Espino later that inning. Jonathan Tucker knocked him out of the game
with a one-out RBI double while reliever Steven Wright permitted two more hits
to increase the deficit to 6-2.
Akron
third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall returned the favor against Baysox starting
pitcher Chorye Spoone in the fifth. Center fielder Jordan Henry drew a leadoff
walk and after an out, Chisenhall lined a homer to right, cutting the deficit
in half to only two runs.
Unfortunately,
the Bowie offense stayed hot with three runs all against Wright in the sixth
highlighted by a two-run single from Tucker. Aeros second baseman Jason Kipnis
made it a 9-5 game with a double to score catcher Damaso Espino in the bottom
of that frame against reliever Ryohei Tanaka. Steven Lerud then added the
evening’s final run with a double to dead center field against new reliever
Nick Hagadone in the eighth.
Tanaka
(5-11) earned the win in just his second relief appearance of the season,
allowing a run on three hits in 1.1 innings pitched. Espino (9-4) took the
loss, snapping a streak of two straight quality starts in permitting the first
five runs on 10 hits despite seven strikeouts in 4.1 frames. Wright struggled
as well in surrendering the next four runs while Hagadone delivered two innings
pitched on the night with one more run allowed.
All
18 batters recorded at least one hit, including 10 with at least two, as only
Akron catcher Damaso Espino did not to reach base twice. John Drennen, Mills, and
Head all collected two hits for Akron, as the latter extended his hitting
streak to 10 straight games.
Christmas
in July returns to Canal Park Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. as this crucial
three-game continues. Exchange any five non-perishable food items for a free
ticket or a gently used winter coat (preferably a children’s size) for two with
all proceeds benefitting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and the Salvation
Army of Greater Akron. There will be seven Santas on hand along with stars from
the Akron Racers and it is Two for Tuesday featuring buy one, get one free
specials on hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn and soft drinks.
Cleveland
Indians right-hander Anthony Reyes is the expected starter Tuesday for Akron as
he continues his rehab assignment in Double-A against Bowie lefty Rick Zagone
(1-2, 3.55 ERA). Join long-time Aeros broadcaster Jim Clark for Tuesday
evening’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.
Aerodynamics Game #98: 07/22/10
GAME #98 ? THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M.
ROAD GAME #47 ? FIRST ENERGY STADIUM ? READING, PA
? Broomsticks… The Aeros rallied for two runs in the eighth inning Wednesday night to defeat the first-place Altoona Curve by the score of 4-2 and finish a perfect 7-0 on their weeklong home stand at Canal Park. Altoona scored first in the first inning against Aeros starter Paolo Espino on an RBI groundout from Gorkys Hernandez. Akron left fielder Jerad Head then gave the hosts a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the second inning that preceded a 37-minute rain delay. The score remained until the Curve tied the margin in the sixth before the Aeros rallied against reliever Ramon Aguero in the eighth. Beau Mills tripled to lead while catcher Damaso Epsino broke open the game with an RBI single to left and Tim Fedroff then drew a run-scoring walk. Reliever Chen-Chang Lee (5-3) earned the win, Aguero (1-3) took the loss and Shane Lindsay earned his first Eastern League save.
Recap 07/21: Aeros Sweep Home Stand, Defeat Altoona 4-2
AKRON,
OH – The Akron Aeros completed a perfect seven-game home stand Wednesday
evening, defeating the first-place Altoona Curve by the final score of 4-2 at
Canal Park. Catcher Damaso Espino scored the game-winning run with a dramatic
two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning in front of 1,782 fans in
downtown Akron. The win improved the third-place Aeros to 52-45, a season-best
seven games over .500 and only 5.5 games behind the Curve (57-39) in the
Eastern League’s Western Division.
Altoona
began the scoring in the first against Akron starting pitcher Paolo Espino. The
EL All-Star permitted a leadoff triple to shortstop Chase d’Arnaud and Gorkys
Hernandez promptly gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage with a run-scoring
groundout to first base.
The
narrow lead did not last for long as the Aeros responded in the bottom half of
the second, Matt McBride reached base to start the inning on a catcher’s
interference following a foul ball against Curve lefty starter Jeff Locke. Two
straight outs ensued before left fielder Jerad Head unloaded on the first pitch
he saw for a two-run homer to center.
With
Akron leading 2-1 after two innings, a rain delay interrupted the game action
at Canal Park for the second straight night. The pause lasted 37 minutes before
Locke and Espino battled in a pitcher’s duel for the remainder of the next
three frames.
The
Curve finally broke the standstill in the top of the sixth when Hague collected
a one-out single to right. Third baseman Jordy Mercer then provided a
game-tying double to left-center field, scoring Hague all the way from first
base.
Both
bullpens helped maintain the tie score until the deciding bottom of the eighth
inning against Altoona reliever Ramon Aguero. The right-hander recorded two
quick outs against Cleveland Indians star Shin-Soo Choo and McBride before Beau
Mills started the rally with a triple to center. Aguero then loaded the bases
with a pair of walks and Espino broke upon the game with his single to right on
a 1-2 offering. Tim Fedroff followed with the RBI of the night on a five-pitch
bases-loaded walk, providing for the game’s final 4-2 margin.
Reliever
Chen-Chang Lee (5-3) earned the win for the Aeros with a pair of strikeouts in
two scoreless innings in relief of Espino. Aguero (1-3) took the loss in his
rough 0.2 innings pitched and Shane Lindsay recorded his first save as a member
of the Indians organization in the ninth. Espino provided six efficient innings
in the no-decision for his third quality start, striking out six batters
against two walks and six hits.
Espino
was the hero as he finished 1-for-4 with the clutch RBI in the bottom of the
eighth and Mills was the only Akron batter to finish with two hits. Choo
finished 0-for-4 in his projected final game on rehab assignment while
recovering from a right thumb sprain.
The
Aeros finally hit the road after the game this evening and begin a four-game
weekend series with the Reading Phillies Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. The fun
starts at First Energy Stadium as Akron hopes to win an eighth straight game
with a currently unannounced starting pitcher against Reading’s Drew Naylor (8-7,
4.05 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Thursday’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 07/19: Akron Homers Thrice in 4-1 Win over Altoona
AKRON,
OH – The Akron Aeros slugged three solo home runs Monday night in a crucial 4-1
victory over the first-place Altoona Curve at Canal Park. Rehabbing Cleveland
Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, red-hot right fielder Matt McBride and left
fielder Jerad Head all homered as Akron won for the fifth straight game. Aeros
right-handed starter Alex White also earned the victory with yet another
quality start in front of a crowd of 3,797 fans on “Ship out LeBron James”
night. The win improved Akron (50-45) to a season-high five games over .500 for
the year while the Curve fell to 57-37.
The
scoring began in the first against dominant Altoona lefty Rudy Owens. The
starter allowed a one-out single to second baseman Jason Kipnis before a
fielder’s choice and a base hit from another rehabbing Cleveland star in
designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo. McBride then delivered the RBI on a single to
left, giving the Aeros a quick 1-0 lead.
Akron’s
home run brigade began in the bottom of the fourth against Owens as McBride led
off the inning. He promptly smashed the second pitch into the canal in left
field, increasing the advantage to two runs with his team-leading 15th
homer.
The
Curve finally responded against White to cut their deficit to 2-1 in the top of
the fifth inning. Right fielder Miles Durham singled to left with two outs and Anthony
Norman’s single placed runners on first and third base. White followed by
sailing a pitch over catcher Damaso Espino, moving up both runners and
tightening up the game.
Cabrera
then began the bottom half of that inning with a solo blast against Owens, his
first homer in seven games during his minor league rehab assignment. Leading
off the sixth against new reliever Michael Dubee, Head cemented the lead with
his second home run in as many nights to provide for the final margin of the
game.
White
(5-4) earned the win by striking out seven over seven innings of one-run
baseball, scattering six hits against no walks. He became the first Aero to
record five consecutive quality starts this season and now has a 1.50 ERA in 11
Double-A starts. Owens (8-4) took the loss in his five innings while Connor
Graham earned his seventh hold and newly annointed closer Omar Aguilar recorded
his fifth save of the year with a perfect ninth.
Kipnis,
the reigning Akron Aeros Player of the Week, led the offensive charge in
finishing 3-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice bunt. Cabrera went 2-for-4 with
his homer while Choo was 1-for-3 before pinch-hitter Carlos Rivero entered the
game in the seventh inning.
Meanwhile,
the Aeros collected over 200 items of LeBron James apparel on the night for
donation to a charitable cause. Fans redeemed 157 free tickets in the special
promotion with all of the donated clothing heading on an upcoming mission trip
by the Canal District Union of the United Methodist Church to the Caribbean or
South America.
This
pivotal three-game series continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park.
Fans can enjoy another Two for Tuesday in downtown Akron with special offers on
hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn and ice cream while also utilizing a KRAFT
Singles buy one ticket, get one free special. Aeros lefty Kelvin De La Cruz
(2-5, 5.28 ERA) aims for a second straight victory against Altoona’s Jared
Hughes (10-6, 4.46 ERA). Tuesday night’s radio broadcast begins 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.
Aerodynamics Game #95: 07/19/10
GAME #95 ? MONDAY, JULY 19, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M.
HOME GAME #49 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH
? How Sweep It Is… The Akron Aeros completed their first four-game series sweep of the season Sunday afternoon, routing the visiting Erie SeaWolves by the final score of 11-2 at Canal Park. Erie took a quick two-run lead in the top of the second inning before Akron responded with a single run in the second and then 10 more unanswered runs. The Aeros knocked Wolves starter Thad Weber out of the game with three runs in the sixth thanks to a clutch two-out, two-run single by catcher Damaso Espino. Shortstop Carlos Rivero picked up two of his three RBI with a double to left-center in the seventh and John Drennen made it an 8-2 lead with a run-scoring single. Lonnie Chisenhall singled home another run in the eighth while a two-run double by Beau Mills capped the blowout. Left-handed starter Scott Barnes (5-8) earned the win again and Weber (6-10) took the loss.
Recap 07/18: Aeros Complete Sweep, Rout SeaWolves 11-2
AKRON,
OH – Setting several new season-highs yet again Sunday afternoon, the Akron
Aeros dominated the Erie SeaWolves by the final score of 11-2 at Canal Park.
The victory in front of 2,717 fans marked Akron’s first four-game series sweep
of 2010, with the last coming on the final series of 2009 against Erie. The
Aeros slugged 19 hits and seven doubles Sunday, both new yearly records, while
matching the top mark with their nine-run margin of victory. Akron’s win
improved the team’s record to 49-45 while the struggling last-place SeaWolves
(38-57) fell to a season-low 19 games below .500 with the loss.
Oddly
enough, Erie actually scored first in the ball game against left-handed Aeros
starter Scott Barnes. The visitors rallied in the top of the second inning as
Rawley Bishop drew a leadoff walk and Michael Bertram scored him all the way
from first base with a double. A Justin Henry single later scored Bertram to
provide for the quick 2-0 margin.
Akron
would promptly record 11 unanswered runs to end the game and started with a
single tally in the bottom of that second. Designated hitter Jerad Head began
his big day with a double to center and quickly scored on a sacrifice fly by
shortstop Carlos Rivero.
Thad
Weber limited the Aeros for the next several innings as both him and Barnes
continued the early pitcher’s duel. The home team then exploded in the sixth,
knocking out Weber with three hits in the first four batters. Catcher Damaso
Espino collected the biggest hit of the frame, giving Akron a 5-2 advantage
with a two-out, two-run single.
The
blowout continued as the lead stretched to six with three more runs in the next
inning. Jason Kipnis started the seventh with a single against new pitcher Luis
Marte, Jerad Head singled as well and Rivero collected two RBI with a double to
left-center. Drennen also picked up another clutch two-out single before the
offense kept going in the eighth.
Leadoff
left fielder Tim Fedroff’s one-out double ignited the final attack of the
afternoon and he later scored on a Lonnie Chisenhall single. Head then doubled
home another run to make it 10-2 and Beau Mills provided the final blast with
yet another RBI two-bagger.
Barnes
(5-8) earned the win in allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts
through six innings pitched. His impressive outing was his fourth consecutive
quality start, tying another 2010 Akron record twice set by Alex White. Weber
(6-10) took the loss while the Aeros pounded the Erie bullpen for seven runs on
10 hits in the final 2.2 innings. Relievers Chen-Chang Lee and Shane Lindsay
then closed the door with three shutout frames.
Head’s
four hits tied another top total for the year and became the first Akron player
to score four runs during a contest during this regular season as well. Every
single player in the lineup finished with at least one hit while seven had
multi-hit performances, led by the two doubles from both Head and Mills, again
tying offensive records in 2010.
This home stand continues Monday night at 7:05 p.m. as
the Aeros host the first-place Altoona Curve. It is the much-anticipated “Ship
out LeBron James” night at Canal Park where fans make charitable donations of
gently used LeBron apparel in exchange for free tickets to the game. Tomorrow
marks another Dollar Dog Monday with Akron’s Alex White (4-4, 1.53 ERA)
starting against Altoona lefty ace Rudy Owens (8-3, 3.00 ERA). Monday evening’s
radio broadcast begins 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.
Aerodynamics Game #94: 07/18/10
GAME #94 ? SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 ? 1:35 P.M.
HOME GAME #48 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH
? The Comeback… Akron’s hot streak continued Saturday night as the team scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a narrow 6-5 victory over the visiting Erie SeaWolves. The early part of the game was a pitcher’s duel between Aeros lefty Eric Berger and SeaWolves southpaw Charlie Furbush but Erie then struck first for three runs in the fifth on two RBI singles and a run-scoring passed ball. Akron right fielder Matt McBride promptly cut the deficit to 3-2 with a two-run double before Cesar Nicolas of the SeaWolves followed with a two-run homer in the sixth. Aeros slugger Jerad Head then responded with a solo shot in the bottom half of that inning and still trailing 5-3, the Aeros rallied in the bottom of the seventh against Furbush and Erie reliever Zach Simons. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall started with back-to-back doubles, first baseman Beau Mills tied the game with an RBI single and catcher Miguel Perez delivered the game-winner to score Mills on a two-out lining single to left. Reliever Bryan Price (4-2) earned the win, Simons (2-4) took the loss and closer Zach Putnam earned his third save of the season.
Recap 07/16: Aeros Smash SeaWolves Again, Win 8-1
AKRON,
OH – Akron’s offense stayed hot while starter Paolo Espino led the Aeros
pitching staff to a dominant 8-1 victory over the Erie SeaWolves Friday night
at Canal Park. The hosts collected 10 hits with six walks highlighted by a
double and a triple from left fielder Tim Fedroff in front of the 7,144 fans in
downtown Akron. Despite the victory over the slumping SeaWolves (38-55), the
Aeros (47-45) remain 2.5 games behind the second-place Bowie Baysox in the Eastern
League’s Western Division.
The
scoring began early as shortstop Carlos Rivero started the second with a
stand-up triple to dead center field. After two straight groundouts, Fedroff
recorded the RBI on another triple while Erie’s starter Brooks Brown threw a
wild pitch to give Akron a 2-0 lead.
Third
baseman Lonnie Chisenhall then made it a three-run game with a run-scoring
double in the third inning, plating Jason Kipnis all the way from first. The
Aeros chased out Brown in the fifth as Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal
Cabrera and Kipnis started a rally with a pair of walks. A double steal and a
throwing error scored Cabrera and after an intentional walk to Beau Mills,
Rivero brought the edge to 5-0 with an RBI single to left.
Akron
starter Espino cruised through his six innings pitched while his offense increased
the advantage to 7-0 in the bottom half of that frame. Damaso Espino led off
with a looping double to right and Fedroff again had a clutch extra-base hit
with a run-scoring double before reliever Cory Hamilton permitted two more
walks to Cabrera and Kipnis. With the bases loaded, a fielder’s choice off the
bat of Matt McBride then plated Fedroff.
The
Aeros scored their final run of the evening in the eighth as pinch-hitter Jerad
Head replaced Cabrera with a one-out double to right field. Head advanced to
third on a throwing error while Kipnis promptly followed with an RBI infield
single to second base.
Erie
scored their lone run of the game against reliever Steven Wright in the ninth
as Cale Iorg doubled with one out and pinch-hitter Shawn Roof hit a clutch
single to center.
Espino
(9-3) earned the victory with just his second quality start of the season,
blanking the Wolves through six innings on three hits. The Eastern League
All-Star right-hander recorded five strikeouts on the night as he moved into a
tie for second in the league with nine wins this year. Brown (7-6) struggled in
taking the loss as he allowed the first five runs in 4.2 innings and Akron
reliever Omar Aguilar struck out the side in the eighth.
Fedroff’s
12-game hitting streak ended Thursday night, but he responded with a 2-for-4
performance Friday along with two RBI and two runs scored. Kipnis also starred
with his two singles and three walks while the recovering Cabrera played the
first seven innings again tonight, going hitless in two at-bats with two free
passes and a run scored.
This
four-game weekend series continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m. on another busy
evening at Canal Park. The Great Transparency leads the way with a pre-game
Faith Night concert at 6:00 p.m. and after the game, it is the second Scout
Night of the season presented by Appalachian Outfitters. Akron lefty Eric Berger (4-5, 4.79 ERA) looks to continue
his solid pitching of late against Erie southpaw Charlie Furbush (1-0, 2.30
ERA). Saturday’s radio broadcast begins 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 07/11: Erie Strikes Late in 5-1 Victory over Aeros
ERIE,
PA – The host Erie SeaWolves capitalized on a fielding error in the eighth
inning to break a late tie and win 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park.
First baseman Beau Mills committed a fielding error with one out and a runner
on second in the frame, leading to four unearned runs in front of the 2,192
fans in attendance in downtown Erie. The loss snapped Akron’s four-game winning
streak, dropping the team to 45-44 on the season while the victory for the
SeaWolves improved them to 37-53 overall.
The
early portion of the contest featured an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel between
Aeros starter Scott Barnes and Erie’s Charles Furbush. The two left-handers
each finished with quality starts and Barnes made the first mistake in the
bottom of the fourth inning.
Third
baseman Audy Ciriaco tripled to center with one out and Rawley Bishop scored
him in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly. Akron collected their first hit of
the game against Furbush on a Mills single in the fifth before finally tying
the score at 1-1 in the sixth.
Left
fielder Tim Fedroff began that frame with a double before advancing to third
base on a groundout by catcher Damaso Espino. Third baseman Cristo Arnal
followed with another sacrifice fly, and the visiting Aeros nearly struck again
right afterwards. Furbush left the game with the bases loaded and just one out
in the seventh but right-handed reliever Zach Simons forced Carlos Rivero to
ground into an inning-ending double play.
Connor
Graham entered the game in relief for Akron to begin the eighth inning and
struggled from the start. Right fielder Kody Kaiser doubled to begin the
game-winning rally and Andy Carrithers drew a one-out walk. Mills then
committed the crucial error, loading the bases just in time for an RBI
fielder’s choice and a two-run triple by Ciriaco. Left fielder Michael Bertram
capped the frame with a single to left, giving Erie the final 5-1 edge.
Simons
(2-3) earned the win by facing just four batters in 1.2 perfect innings pitched
of relief. Graham took the loss in falling to 2-5 on the season, permitted four
unearned runs on three hits and two walks while only retiring two outs total.
Meanwhile, Barnes had his third straight quality start in allowing one run on
four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings pitched and Furbush struck out
nine batters in his 6.1 innings as well.
The
Aeros collected only four hits on the night, led by the lone extra-base hit on
the fourth inning double by Fedroff. The hit extended his hitting streak to 11
consecutive games, matching his personal-best for the 2010 season in Double-A.
Designated hitter Matt McBride also singled in the seventh, continuing his
success away from Canal Park.
This
four-game series and the first half of the Eastern League regular season
schedule conclude Monday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch start in Erie.
Akron hopes to remain in striking distance from the wild card playoff spot with
lefty Eric Berger on the mound (4-4, 4.74 ERA) against SeaWolves starter Thad
Weber (5-9, 4.05 ERA). Join Jim Clark for Monday evening’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.
—AEROS—
Aerodynamics 