The Aeros' 10-game winning streak came to an end Sunday at Canal Park in a listless 11-2 loss to the Portland Sea Dogs.
The Aeros are a team that has overcome late deficits — including a 10-0 hole last week against the Sea Dogs. So it was hard to believe this Father's Day game was over after two innings.
Sure, Aeros starter Ryan Edell had the bullpen scurrying to get warmed up quickly with one out in the second inning. And, yes, the roughed-up left-hander had given way to Shawn Nottingham before the sixth inning was completed, spotting the Sea Dogs a four-run advantage.
But you'd be hard pressed to find a single player or coach in the Aeros dugout who didn't believe there was still time to win.
As Portland manager Arnie Beyeler said after the Aeros swept Saturday's doubleheader: ''We started this whole thing for them, so why wouldn't they think they could keep it up? They are a good team that plays all nine [innings], so you can't let up against them.''
Actually, the Aeros' streak began with a pair of victories in New Hampshire last week before Akron swept three games in Portland to piece together the first five victories.
A feeling of invincibility grew in Maine when the Aeros posted back-to-back, wins from deficits of 10 and six runs.
A series sweep of New Hampshire at Canal Park followed and the Aeros pushed the string to double digits Saturday.
''Our bats have really come alive,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. ''As a group, we've really been swinging the bats well over the last 10 games. The main thing is it's been a collective effort from a lot of guys, not just a select group.''
Over the streak, the Aeros batted .355 while averaging 12.7 hits per game. They pounded out 30 extra-base hits and worked 56 walks (compared to 55 strikeouts).
Although the Aeros were confident Sunday, the Sea Dogs kept adding to their run total.
Nottingham mercifully ended the Sea Dogs' long second inning with one pitch, but he could not work the same magic in the fourth.
John Otness hit an RBI triple and Mickey Hall hit a two-run homer as Portland pushed its lead out of reach to 9-2.
The Sea Dogs raised it to 11 after scoring runs against Erik Stiller in the fifth and seventh, including a solo homer by Tony Granadillo.
The Aeros look to begin another winning streak after an off-day today. Tuesday's trip to Bowie kicks off a stretch of 30 games in 28 days.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
The Aeros' 10-game winning streak came to an end Sunday at Canal Park in a listless 11-2 loss to the Portland Sea Dogs.
The Aeros are a team that has overcome late deficits — including a 10-0 hole last week against the Sea Dogs. So it was hard to believe this Father's Day game was over after two innings.
Sure, Aeros starter Ryan Edell had the bullpen scurrying to get warmed up quickly with one out in the second inning. And, yes, the roughed-up left-hander had given way to Shawn Nottingham before the sixth inning was completed, spotting the Sea Dogs a four-run advantage.
But you'd be hard pressed to find a single player or coach in the Aeros dugout who didn't believe there was still time to win.
As Portland manager Arnie Beyeler said after the Aeros swept Saturday's doubleheader: ''We started this whole thing for them, so why wouldn't they think they could keep it up? They are a good team that plays all nine [innings], so you can't let up against them.''
Actually, the Aeros' streak began with a pair of victories in New Hampshire last week before Akron swept three games in Portland to piece together the first five victories.
A feeling of invincibility grew in Maine when the Aeros posted back-to-back, wins from deficits of 10 and six runs.
A series sweep of New Hampshire at Canal Park followed and the Aeros pushed the string to double digits Saturday.
''Our bats have really come alive,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. ''As a group, we've really been swinging the bats well over the last 10 games. The main thing is it's been a collective effort from a lot of guys, not just a select group.''
Over the streak, the Aeros batted .355 while averaging 12.7 hits per game. They pounded out 30 extra-base hits and worked 56 walks (compared to 55 strikeouts).
Although the Aeros were confident Sunday, the Sea Dogs kept adding to their run total.
Nottingham mercifully ended the Sea Dogs' long second inning with one pitch, but he could not work the same magic in the fourth.
John Otness hit an RBI triple and Mickey Hall hit a two-run homer as Portland pushed its lead out of reach to 9-2.
The Sea Dogs raised it to 11 after scoring runs against Erik Stiller in the fifth and seventh, including a solo homer by Tony Granadillo.
The Aeros look to begin another winning streak after an off-day today. Tuesday's trip to Bowie kicks off a stretch of 30 games in 28 days.