Aeros Dynamics
Published on May 8, 2003 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
TODAY'S CONTEST...Akron and Altoona square off in the final game of this three-game series...Today is a "Business Person's Special," where fans can get a ticket, a jumbo hot dog, a 16 oz. soft drink and a 32 oz. popcorn for just $10...RHP JEREMY GUTHRIE, the Indians #1 pick in the 2002 draft out of Stanford, toes the rubber for Akron (4-0, 1.30 ERA, 6 GS, 34.2 IP, 23 H, 5 R/ER, 9 BB, 21 SO)...RHP BEN SHAFFAR goes for Altoona.
RECENTLY...The Aeros were beaten handily by the Curve yesterday, 10-2...Akron is now 0-2 in this series with Altoona and has been outscored 21-3 in those two contests...2B MAICER IZTURIS was 3-for-5 with 1 RBI and 2B LUIS GONZALEZ was 3-for-5 with 1 2B...RHP FERNANDO CABRERA (2-1) suffered the loss (5.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) while Altoona starter LHP MIKE CONNOLLY (2-1) notched the victory (5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO).
STREAKING...2B MAICER IZTURIS currently has a 18-game hitting streak, the longest by an Aero this season...Over his streak, Izturis is batting .380 (30-79) with 14 R, 6 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI & 5 SB...The longest hitting streak in franchise history is 22, done by OF JAMES BETZSOLD (4/5/97-5/4/97) & OF DAVE ROBERTS (7/6/98-8/4/98).
HOT HOT HOT...Utility man LUIS GONZALEZ has a hit in seven of his last nine games, batting .385 (15-39) over that span with 8 R, 5 2B, 1 HR & 9 RBI...SS HECTOR LUNA has a hit in five of his last seven games, batting .379 (11-29) over that span with 7 R, 2 2B & 5 RBI...Over his last five appearances, RHP RAFAEL BETANCOURT is 0-0 with a 0.84 ERA (10.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 16 SO).
RECENT TRANSACTION...Prior to today's game, the Aeros placed RHP RYAN LARSON on the Disabled List and activated RHP JOSE VARGAS from the D.L.
CONGRATS...Aeros DH RON WRIGHT left the team on Monday, May 5 to be with his wife who was giving birth to their child...They are now the proud parents of a baby girl...Wright is expected to rejoin the Aeros for tomorrow night's game versus Norwich.
AS A TEAM...The Aeros pitching staff leads the league in strikeouts (240), they have surrendered the fewest home runs (11) and have the allowed the most hits (277)...As a staff, they are fifth in ERA (3.65)...Offensively, Akron leads the Eastern League in at-bats (1126) and are tied for the league lead in hits (285)...As a team, the Aeros are ninth in batting (.253).
LEADER BOARD...RHP FERNANDO CABRERA leads the Eastern League in strikeouts (38)...RHP JEREMY GUTHRIE is tied with teammate RHP KYLE DENNEY for the league lead in wins (4)...Guthrie is second in ERA (1.30)...2B MAICER IZTURIS is tied for the league lead in hits (39)and is second in triples (4).
UPCOMING GAMES
FRIDAY, MAY 9 @ 7:05 P.M.
NORWICH NAVIGATORS vs. AKRON AEROS
T.B.A. vs. LHP DERRICK VAN DUSEN (1-3, 6.75 ERA)
POST-GAME FIREWORKS, SPONSORED BY WISK SPORT/TOPPS
SATURDAY, MAY 10 @ 7:05 P.M.
NORWICH NAVIGATORS vs. AKRON AEROS
T.B.A. vs. RHP FRANCISCO CRUCETA (0-3, 4.22 ERA)
Eastern League Stories from May 8, 2003
- Standing Room Only For This Weekend - Trenton Thunder
- Shaffar Outduels Guthrie, Curve Downs Akron, 3-1 - Altoona Curve
- Mother's Day Road Race - Portland Sea Dogs
- Gloves and Moms Featured - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Dynamics - Akron RubberDucks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
