Aeros Stay Behind Curve All Night, Lose 7-0

Akron, OH- With the Eastern League All-Star break in their rear-view mirror, the boys from the Rubber City returned home to Canal Park Thursday night, but looked a step behind the visiting Altoona Curve, falling 7-0.

All night, Akron's pitchers were a constant battle of falling behind hitters in the count and keeping runners off the base paths. Mix in that with the patience of the Curve lineup, and the Aeros found themselves in an uphill struggle.

Akron kept things relatively close going into the ninth, trailing 4-0, before the wheels completely fell off and Altoona was able to push across three runs off reliever J.D. Reichenbach.

The Curve started their onslaught early, as slugger Alex Dickerson put the Curve on the board in the second with a solo-shot into the bullpen off Aeros starter Brett Brach, putting Altoona up 1-0. After hitting the leadoff man in the fifth, the right-hander proceeded to allow a duo of singles that bolstered the Curve lead to 2-0.

For the night, Brach lasted 5.0 innings, allowing two runs off seven hits, while walking three and striking out two.

Replacing Brach in the sixth was Shawn Armstrong, who was cruising before also falling victim to getting behind hitters in the count. With two on and two out, shortstop Drew Maggi slapped an RBI-single into center and quickly helped plate another run. As the next batter stood in, Maggi made the break for second, allowing the runner from third to successfully swipe home and extended Curve lead to 4-0.

The Aeros were able to keep up the pace with Altoona as far as hits, but just couldn't find a way to drive in runs all evening, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving a total of nine runners left on base. One underlining factor that worked against the Aeros offensively was the absence of their two Eastern League All-Stars and best-run producers, Jesus Aguilar and Carlos Moncrief.

On the mound for Altoona, Eliecer Navarro tossed six solid innings, allowing zero runs off five hits, striking out one and walking none. From there the Curve bullpen took over, allowing just two hits in the final three innings.

With the season more than halfway over, the Aeros will need to act with more urgency if they wanted to make some noise in the Eastern League standings.

Friday's Promotions: The Aeros are excited to have a special appearance by the ZOOperstars! The ZOOperstars! show will make all audiences crack up with laughter. They flip, they bounce, they shake, they dance and they just flat out JAM! There will also be a pre-game ceremony honoring the 2013 induction class of the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as post-game country-themed fireworks and a Scout Sleepover!

Akron continues their series against Altoona Tuesday night at 7:05. RHP Will Roberts (6-6, 4.46 ERA) is the announced starter the Aeros, while RHP Nick Kingham (1-2, 2.94 ERA) is the expected starter for the Curve. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 AM, and online at www.sportsradio1350.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151. Follow the team on Twitter @akronaeros or on Facebook at facebook.com/theakronaeros.