Josh Rains on Aeros Parade
Josh Rainwater tossed eight innings with nine strikouts in Erie's 2-0 win!
The SeaWolves shut out the Akron Aeros 2-0 on Thursday night, avoiding the four-game sweep. The ‘Wolves were paced by a brilliant starting pitching performance by Josh Rainwater in the victory.
The SeaWolves jumped ahead on Akron starter Scott Lewis in the bottom of the fourth. Wilkin Ramirez led off with a single for the first Erie hit of the game. With one down, Ryan Roberson laced a liner into center. On the play, the ball got passed a diving Bronson Sardinha all the way to the wall. Ramirez would score and Roberson would reach third for his first triple of the year to give Erie a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Kody Kirkland singled to left, scoring Roberson for a 2-0 Erie advantage. The two runs would stand up in the game as Rainwater slammed the door.
The Aeros threatened against Rainwater in the fifth inning when Ryan Goleski led off with a hit by pitch and Wyatt Toregas walked to put two on with no outs. He battled back to strikeout Brandon Chaves and induce a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Brandon Pinckney.
Rainwater (6-3) finished the game going eight innings (longest outing of the season) allowing just three hits with walk and a season-high nine strikeouts. It was the first time since July 7 of 2006 when Rainwater struck out nine in a game against Clinton while playing for West Michigan. His career high in strikeouts is 11, which he did twice in 2004 and 2005. He is the first Erie pitcher to get to six wins.
Casey Fien came into the game in the top of the ninth inning and slammed the door to pick up his ninth save of the season.
UP NEXT -
The SeaWolves begin a seven-game road trip on Friday night to Prince George's Stadium to take on the Bowie Baysox. Here are the pitching matchups for the series -
FRIDAY at BOWIE - 6:05 FIRST PITCH
RHP Andrew Kown (5-9, 5.15 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (7-2, 3.08 ERA)
SATURDAY at BOWIE - 6:05 FIRST PITCH
RHP Ben Fritz (2-4, 5.93 ERA) vs. RHP Jason Berken (6-3, 4.15 ERA)
SUNDAY at BOWIE - 6:05 FIRST PITCH
LHP Danny Christensen (5-6, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Bergesen (9-2, 2.64 ERA)
MONDAY at BOWIE - 7:05 FIRST PITCH
LHP Luke French (5-8, 4.77 ERA) vs. RHP David Hernandez (5-1, 2.63 ERA)
