The Aeros mounted a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth and got the potential tying run to the plate, but the Bowie Baysox hung on for a 7-5 win to spoil Akron’s home opener before 6,219 fans at Canal Park Thursday night. Bowie improved to 3-5 while the Aeros slipped to 2-5.

The clubs traded runs in the first inning, as Nolan Reimold opened the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the frame for Bowie and Michael Aubrey answered with a two-out RBI triple in the bottom half for Akron. The Baysox went on to score the next six runs however, highlighted by two-run rallies in both the third and seventh innings. The Aeros had plenty of opportunities over that span but couldn’t get the big hit, stranding eight runners in a five-inning span from the second through sixth innings.

Akron made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, sending eight men to the plate. Chris Gimenez drew a walk to start the inning, but a pop-out and a fielder’s choice meant the Aeros had a just man at first with two away. Josh Rodriguez laced a single to left to keep the inning alive however, and Matt Whitney followed with a two-run double off the top of the wall in right-center to cut the margin to 7-3. Michael Aubrey then socked a booming double to straightaway center field to plate Whitney and make it 7-4, and after the Baysox brought on closer Julio Manon Akron’s Wes Hodges bounced a run-scoring single up the middle to draw the Aeros to within 7-5. The rally would end there however, as Reimold handled Ryan Goleski’s liner to end the game.

David Hernandez (1-0) earned the win for Bowie, limiting Akron to a run on four hits in five innings of work. He walked three and struck out six. David Huff (0-1) suffered the loss for Akron, allowing four runs and six hits in 4.2 innings. He racked up five strikeouts and did not walk a batter. Manon’s save was his second of the year. Rodriguez, Whitney and Aubrey all had two-hit nights for the Aeros, with Whitney and Aubrey both driving in a pair of runs. Aubrey also extended his hitting streak to seven games to begin the year.

Game two in this four-game series is Friday evening, with Akron’s Frank Herrmann (1-0, 11.12 ERA) opposing Bowie’s Jason Berken (0-1, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks show after the game. As always, the game broadcast begins at 6:50 on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.