MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - AKRON , OH – Aeros starter Scott Lewis was superb for seven innings and the Aeros tallied four early runs to push past Binghamton 5-1 before 8,221 fans at Canal Park on Fireworks Friday. Akron improved to 64-42, while the Mets fell to 55-51.

The Aeros struck first with a two-out rally in the second inning. Stephen Head started things with a double to right-center, and Wyatt Toregas walked before Brandon Pinckney dropped an RBI single down the left field line to give Akron a 1-0 lead. Josh Rodriguez added on with a solo home run leading off the third inning to make it 2-0.

The Aeros added two more runs in the fourth on a rally that started with another Head double to right. Jose Constanza then drove him in on a two-out triple into the right-center field gap and the speedster, just off the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, later scored on a wild pitch by Binghamton starter Michael Antonini.

Binghamton’s only run came in the seventh on a solo home run down the left-field line by Caleb Stewart, but Akron answered in the bottom of the frame as Matt LaPorta reached second base on an error and scored on a two-out, two-strike RBI single to left off the bat of Wes Hodges to make it 5-1.

Stewart’s homer was the only run off Lewis (5-2), who dominated for much of the night. The left-hander retired nine in a row at one point, and outside of the home run in the seventh allowed just one runner to reach third base. He worked seven innings and surrendered only one run on five hits, with a walk and five strikeouts. Antonini (0-1) took the loss, working 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in his Double-A debut. Akron relievers Reid Santos and Erik Stiller each worked perfect innings to cap the five-hitter. Head was 3-4 on the night with two doubles and a pair of runs scored, while Toregas and LaPorta both reached base twice.

The Aeros continue this 10-game homestand Saturday at 7:05 p.m. as Frank Herrmann (8-3, 4.85 ERA) takes the hill against Binghamton’s Tobi Stoner (1-4, 5.44 ERA).

Akron Aeros (64-42) 5, Binghamton Mets (55-51) 1
July 25, 2008