Aeros' ace Adam Miller struck out nine batters in six innings Tuesday night in the opening game of the Eastern League Championship Series against the visiting Portland Sea Dogs.
Sea Dogs starter Devern Hansack recorded five over the same span but worked more efficiently and with the advantage of four early runs as the Sea Dogs won 4-3 in Game 1 at soggy Canal Park.
Portland hit Miller even harder in the second and third innings. David Bacani tripled and scored on Keoni De Renne's groundout in the second, and Luis Jimenez homered with one out in the third to give the visitors an early 4-0 lead.
With the Sea Dogs' bullpen in control, the Aeros mounted a late rally. Ivan Ochoa led off the eighth inning with a single against right-hander Kyle Jackson, took second on a balk and scored the Aeros' first run on a hit by Wyatt Toregas. But the Aeros' catcher was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double -- a costly move as contact-hitter Trevor Crowe followed Toregas with a double that probably would have scored Toregas from first.
Although Barry Hertzler replaced Jackson on the mound, the Aeros rally continued with two outs. Ryan Goleski beat out an infield single and scored on a Brian Barton triple to the right-field corner.
With Brad Snyder at the plate, Claus went to his bullpen for the third time in the inning, tapping Mike Bumatay to come in for the lefty-lefty matchup. Snyder took the count full and fouled off a few pitches, but popped out to the catcher with the Aeros trailing by a run.
The Aeros had little chance against Sea Dogs closer Edgar Martinez in the ninth; the burly converted catcher sat the side down in order for the save.
The Aeros adjusted their roster in preparation for the championship series, adding right-handed pitcher J.D. Martin while transferring right-hander Nick Pesco to the Class-A Kinston roster.
Martin was the Indians sandwich pick (35th overall selection) in the 2001 draft out of California's Burroughs High School. He was an Eastern League All-Star last season but did not participate in the game because he had season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Although Martin has been a starter this season, he will join the Aeros bullpen. ``I'm on a 60-pitch count, so I can go about four innings in long relief if they need it,'' he said.
The Aeros host the Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) tonight in Game 2. Aeros left-hander Aaron Laffey (8-3, 3.53 ERA) is to face Sea Dogs left-hander Tommy Hottovy (2-4, 4.17 ERA).
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