Harrisburg struck for eight runs in the first three innings and the Aeros offense couldn’t keep up in a 13-6 defeat before 1,660 fans at Canal Park Thursday night. The first-place Senators improved to 13-7 while Akron dropped to 7-12.

Harrisburg opened the game with four runs in the top of the first, but the Aeros were able to answer the opening salvo. Michael Aubrey slammed a two-out double off the wall in right-center in the bottom of the first, and Matt Whitney then roped an RBI single down the left field line to score Aubrey and make it 4-1. Akron then tied the game in the bottom of the second, as Chris de la Cruz drew a leadoff walk and scored on Jose Constanza’s RBI triple. Josh Rodriguez brought the Aeros to within a run with an RBI single, and Wes Hodges then evened the game at 4-4 with a two-out RBI single of his own.

The Senators wasted little time in reclaiming the lead however, striking for four more runs in the top of the third on a two-run double by Luke Montz and a two-run single from William Bergolla. Akron got a run back on Constanza’s two-out RBI single in the fifth, but Andrew LeFave put the game out of reach with a three-run homer of reliever Sung-Wei Tseng in the top of the sixth to make it 11-5. Chris Gimenez scored on a wild pitch in the seventh before Harrisburg plated two more runs in the top of the eighth to account for the final margin.

Mike Hinckley (2-0) got the win in relief for Harrisburg, allowing a run on four hits in three innings. Aeros starter Kevin Dixon (0-3) was roughed up for eight runs (seven earned) and seven hits in just 2.1 innings to suffer the loss, although lefty Shawn Nottingham impressed with three shutout innings as the first man out of the bullpen. Rodriguez and Constanza led the way offensively with three hits each, while Aubrey and Gimenez both had a pair of hits.

Game two in this four-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday, with Akron’s Chuck Lofgren (0-1, 6.92 ERA) taking on former Aero Bobby Brownlie (2-0, 2.25 ERA). As with every Friday home game, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks show following the game. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.