Thunder Spoil Cooper's Gem in 1-0 Victory in Series Finale

Akron, OH-Akron righthander Jordan Cooper was the personification of excellence Thursday night at Canal Park. Unfortunately for Akron, Trenton's Nik Turley was just a little bit better.

Turley threw seven shutout innings, and Jose Pirela produced the only run of the game with an RBI double in the seventh, as the Thunder edged the Aeros 1-0, to complete a three-game series sweep.

The Aeros (34-37) have lost four straight games, and were swept at home for the first time this season. It was only the second shutout loss of the year, and the first since a 2-0 loss at Altoona on April 29th. Trenton (35-36) came into the series having lost five in a row, but got well in a hurry by allowing the Aeros only four runs in the three games.

Turley (6-5) halted a personal three-game losing streak by scattering five hits, all singles. He walked two and struck out four. He stranded runners at third in both the fifth and sixth when the score was 0-0.

Third baseman Reegie Corona's spectacular diving stop of a sharp grounder by Jesus Aguilar down the third base line helped bail Turley out of a jam in the sixth. Corona's was the defensive play of the night.

Cooper's effort was arguably his best effort at the Double-A level. He pitched a season-high seven innings and gave up only three hits. The only blemish for Cooper (3-3) came from Pirela, the final batter he faced on the night.

After retiring the first two hitters in the seventh, Cooper surrendered a bloop single by Corona. Pirela then smacked a fly ball to left field that carried over left fielder Justin Toole, landing at the base of the fence. Corona scored, but Pirela was tagged out trying to advance to third. It was Pirela's 21st RBI of the season.

Cooper, who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning last Saturday at Portland, did not give up a hit until the fourth on Thursday. He worked around three walks and struck out five. He lowered his season ERA to 3.28.

Turley handed off the 1-0 lead to Danny Burawa, who walked two batters in the eighth, but wiggled out of the jam. Then in the ninth, Trenton closer Tommy Kahnle walked the bases loaded, but struck out Ronny Rodriguez to end the game for his ninth save. Akron left 11 batters on base.

Rodriguez and Tyler Holt had two hits apiece for Akron.

The Aeros will continue the homestand Friday night as they welcome the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins) for a three-game, weekend series. RHP Tom Stufibergen (1-0, 8.00) will start for New Britain, while RHP Will Roberts (4-4, 4.33) is scheduled to get the ball for Akron. 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.