Cruz's Huge Day Highlights Erie's Win

Erie started the homestand hot with a 7-3 win over Akron on Tuesday.

Trei Cruz started a big day offensive right from the start. Cruz led off the first with a solo blast against Will Dion. It was Cruz’s first home run since June 18. Andrew Navigato followed up Cruz’s homer with one of his own later in the frame, giving Erie a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Cruz blasted his second home run of the game against Dion to give Erie a 3-0 lead.

In a bullpen day for the SeaWolves, Tyler Mattison, Adam Wolf, and Tim Naughton combined for six shutout innings to begin the game.

The SeaWolves broke it open in the bottom of the sixth inning. Chris Meyers scored Jake Holton on a double off the left-field fence. Later in the frame, with the bases loaded, Cruz tripled into the Akron bullpen down the right-field line. It scored all three runners and gave Erie a 7-0 lead. Cruz had three extra-base hits and drove home five runs.

Angel De Jesus allowed leadoff home runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. Aaron Bracho hit the first and Petey Halpin hit the latter. Blake Holub entered for De Jesus with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth. He struck out a pair to end the threat.

Holub allowed a run in the ninth inning on a double by Gabriel Rodriguez after the first two batters of the frame reached base. Holub finished the game and earned his third save.

Wolf (3-2) earned the win. Dion (2-2) took the loss.

Erie and Akron continue the series on Wednesday at 12:35 p.m. with Brant Hurter opposing Ross Carver.