From Mirror reports
AKRON, Ohio - Akron has long been a Curve nemesis, and the Aeros have built much of their success over the years on strong pitching.
That's the case once again this season, and Altoona had a tough time solving Akron's pitching staff in Friday's series opener at Canal Park. The Aeros won a pitchers' duel, 2-1, by scoring a tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and they lowered their Eastern League-leading team ERA to 2.39.
Curve manager P.J. Forbes is not with the team for this series as he's resting a sore back and hopes to rejoin the club Monday in Erie. Hitting coach Ryan Long is serving as acting manager.
Akron scored a run in the fifth off Matt McSwain, a reliever making a spot start with Aaron Pribanic on the disabled list. McSwain worked around three hits and five walks to allow just one run in five innings.
The Curve tied it at 1-1 on an RBI infield single by Adalberto Santos in the sixth. Robbie Grossman, who went 2-for-3, singled and came home on Santos' second hit of the night.
Fact Box
Next stop
Today: Altoona at Akron, 1:05 p.m.
Pitching matchups: Curve LHP?Kris Johnson (0-0, 1.59) vs. Aeros LHP?Eric Berger (0-3, 6.92)
Record: 8-11
Akron got to reliever Kris Harvey (0-1) in the seventh for the winning run. Adam Abraham doubled to open the inning and scored two batters later on a double by Thomas Neal.
Bryan Price won in relief for Akron, while Preston Guilmet earned his fourth save. Starter Giovanni Soto allowed just one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The Curve have had a rash of injuries lately and are dealing with yet another one as pitcher Aaron Poreda was placed on the disabled list Friday - retroactive to Wednesday - with a sore shoulder.
Game recap
Key player: Akron DH Adam Abraham went 2-for-4 with a run.
Key play: Abraham doubled to start the seventh and scored on a double by RF Thomas Neal to put the Aeros up, 2-1.
Key stat: The Curve have scored only 17 runs in eight road games.
How they scored
Bottom 5th: Bellows walked, scored on Perez triple (0-1).
Top 6th: Grossman singled, scored on Santos single (1-1).
Bottom 7th: Abraham doubled, scored on Neal double (1-2).
