Two Aeros Named Olympians - Matt LaPorta to Play for U.S.; T.J. Burton for Canada
Published on July 16, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - The Akron Aeros will have two representatives in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as OF Matt LaPorta will play on the United States national baseball team and RHP T.J. Burton will represent his home country of Canada in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. The United States will play Canada in a four-game series August 1st-4th in North Carolina before the teams begin competition August 13th, with the U.S. taking on Korea and Canada facing off with host China. The medal-round games will take place August 23rd.
LaPorta is hitting .375 (6-16) since his arrival in Akron after being the centerpiece of the trade that sent ace CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander has a hit in all four games with the Aeros, and socked the game-winning home run Friday night in Reading to lift the Aeros to a 3-2 comeback win over the Phillies. Combined with his numbers in 84 games at Class AA Huntsville, the 2007 first-round pick is hitting .292 with 23 doubles, 21 home runs and 70 RBI. He led the Southern League in home runs and was second in RBI at the time of the trade.
Sunday, LaPorta played in the XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, drawing a walk and hitting a second-inning single (one of just three hits for the United States team). He entered the 2008 season as the top prospect and the best power hitter in the Brewers organization according to Baseball America.
The Port Charlotte, Fla., native has experience in international competition as he was a member of the 2005 USA Baseball National Team, which played exhibition games against teams in the United States and against Japan and Canada.
Burton is 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 27 relief appearances with the Aeros this season and has allowed just four earned runs in his last 14.2 innings. He picked up the win in his last outing in a 5-3 victory at Reading Monday, working a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. The right-hander was Cleveland's 18th-round selection in the 2001 June Draft and has compiled a 22-24 career record with a 4.73 ERA in seven seasons with the organization.
In the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Ottawa, Ontario native made three relief appearances and allowed two unearned runs in two innings. Class A Kinston LF Nick Weglarz will join Burton on the Canadian team.
Former Aero RHP Jeff Stevens was also selected to the United States roster. Stevens was 5-1 with one save and a 2.51 ERA in 17 appearances for Akron this season before his promotion to Class AAA Buffalo June 3rd.
The Aeros resume the season Thursday at Canal Park at 7:05 p.m., beginning a four-game set against the Erie SeaWolves. Steven Wright (1-1, 6.75 ERA) will take the mound for Akron against Erie's Josh Rainwater (6-4, 3.86 ERA). It is Thirsty Thursday at Canal Park, with 12-ounce beer and fountain drinks for just $1 from the time the gates open at 6:05 p.m. until the end of the third inning. 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.
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