Akron
Eastern League Finals (Best of 5)
The Thunder forced a fourth game by scoring 7 unanswered runs starting in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Aeros had scored two runs in the top of the fifth to push their lead to 7-4, but T.J. House would give up four runs to give up the lead, and the Thunder wouldn't look back.
Carlos Carrasco made the start, going two innings, but this time he got banged around. He allowed the first four batters he faced to reach, and all four of them would score. But then he retired the next six batters he faced, as if he had suddenly settled down.
House was the true starter of the game, and for his first two innings, he faced the minimum. But wildness got him into trouble in the fifth, and the Thunder would scored four runs in an inning again. House would come out for the sixth inning, but he'd be removed before he could finish it.
The Aeros had plenty of offense, led by Chun Chen's three hits. Jordan Henry reached base four time, two via walks, two via hits. Adam Abraham hit a home run, while Jesus Aguilar contributed two hits, including a double.
Akron 6, Trenton 1 (AKR win series 3-1)
The Aeros took home the Eastern League championship behind a fine start by Toru Murata, who went six innings and allowed just one run on three hits. Murata, who is 27 but only has been in the United States for two seasons (he was essentially a Japanese minor-league free agent), spent most of the season in the bullpen but has been starting for the Aeros down the stretch.
The Aeros scored two runs in the first inning, one more in the fifth, and put the game away with three runs in the ninth inning. The offensive start of the game was Adam Abraham, who went 2-for-4 with a triple. Roberto Perez added a double.