Aeros Dynamics
Published on May 9, 2003 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
TONIGHT'S CONTEST...Akron and Norwich (San Francisco Giants) begin a three-game set tonight at Canal Park with first pitch at 7:05 p.m...The Aeros took two of three from the Navigators last weekend at Norwich...This is Norwich's only trip to the Rubber City this season...LHP DERRICK VAN DUSEN (1-3, 6.75 ERA) makes his sixth start for the Aeros this evening...Tonight's pitching match-up is a repeat of last Saturday's game at Norwich, when the Navigators beat the Aeros, 9-5...In that game, the âGators RHP KEVIN CORREIA got the win (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) and Van Dusen suffered his third loss (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 SO)...The Aeros will have their first post-game fireworks spectacular of the season following tonight's game...The fireworks are sponsored by Tops/Wisk Sport.
RECENTLY...The Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) completed their three-game sweep of the Aeros yesterday with a 3-1 victory...RHP JEREMY GUTHRIE suffered his first loss of the year, but he pitched very well and even lowered his ERA in the loss (8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO)...Akron scored just four runs in the three-game set with Altoona, gathering just 18 total hits...As a team, Akron hit .184 (18-98) in the Altoona series.
WHERE'S THE HOME COOKING???...The Aeros are just 3-10 at home this season, but they are 14-6 on the road.
STREAKING...2B MAICER IZTURIS had his 18-game hitting streak snapped yesterday...His streak was the longest by an Aero this season...Over his streak, Izturis hit .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...Over his last 10 games, utility man LUIS GONZALEZ is batting .341 (15-44) with 8 R, 5 2B, 1 HR & 7 RBI...Over his last eight games, SS HECTOR LUNA is batting .387 (12-31) with 8 R, 2 2B & 5 RBI...Over his last nine games, 3B COREY SMITH is batting .351 (13-37) with 5 R, 5 2B & 5 RBI.
RECENT TRANSACTION...Prior to yesterday's game, the Aeros placed RHP RYAN LARSON on the Disabled List with right shoulder fatigue and activated RHP JOSE VARGAS from the D.L...Vargas had been on the D.L. since April 21 with right shoulder soreness.
CONGRATS...Aeros DH RON WRIGHT returns to the Aeros today after spending the last few days with his wife and their newborn daughter.
LEADER BOARD...RHP JEREMY GUTHRIE is currently tied for the Eastern League lead in ERA (1.27), winsn (4), complete games (1), shutouts (1) and is second in innings pitched (42.2)...RHP FERNANDO CABRERA leads the league in strikeouts (38)...2B MAICER IZTURIS is tied for the E.L. lead in hits (39) and is second in triples (4)...3B COREY SMITH is tied for second in extra-base hits (15).
UPCOMING GAMES
SATURDAY, MAY 10 @ 7:05 P.M.
NORWICH NAVIGATORS vs. AKRON AEROS
LHP MITCH WALK (1-2, 1.99 ERA) vs. RHP FRANCISCO CRUCETA (0-3, 4.22 ERA)
SUNDAY, MAY 11 @ 2:05 P.M.
NORWICH NAVIGATORS vs. AKRON AEROS
RHP BOOF BONSER (1-3, 2.20 ERA) vs. RHP KYLE DENNEY (4-1, 3.12 ERA)
Promotion: Take Your Photo With the Team Day, Sponsored by the A.D.M. Board
Gates Open at 11:00 a.m. and from 11:30 â Noon Fans can get take photos and get autographs from the Aeros players and coaches
Eastern League Stories from May 9, 2003
- Erie Nips Curve, 3-2, in 10 Innings - Altoona Curve
- McKinley on D.L. - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Dynamics - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox are back this weekend - Chesapeake Baysox
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