Aeros Game Notes
Published on April 8, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Game #1 . Road Game #1 . Thursday, April 8, 2010 . 6:35 P.M.
Akron Aeros (0-0) vs. Binghamton Mets (0-0)
Cleveland Indians New York Mets
Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Zach Putnam (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4-2, 4.13 ERA with Akron in 2009)
Binghamton - LHP Eric Niesen (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4-7, 4.66 ERA with Binghamton in 2009)
Upcoming Probables:
Friday: AKR LHP Scott Barnes (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BIN RHP Brad Holt (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Saturday: AKR RHP Connor Graham (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BIN RHP Scott Shaw (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Sunday: AKR RHP Paolo Espino (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BIN LHP Mike Antonini (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Monday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. TRN TBA (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
The Book on Zach Putnam (in 2009).
. High Strikeouts - 4, set four times, last 9/1 vs. Altoona . Most Hits Allowed - 5, set 5/12 vs. Bowie and 6/2 at Reading
. Longest Outing - 2.1 IP, set three times, last 8/28 vs. BIN . Most Walks Allowed - 3, set 6/2 at Reading
. Shortest Outing - 0.2 IP, set three times, last 8/18 vs. Bowie . HR Allowed (Season) - 2
. Has only started five times in his career, all five starts were made with Kinston
* Was 2-0 with Kinston before being called up to Akron * Split time between Kinston and Akron in 2009 * Last time out: 9/7 Pitched 1.0 a 9-3 win vs. Erie (1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)
Aerodynamics.
* Welcome Back.The Aeros return a slew of familiar faces to the Opening Day roster this year, with 18 of the 24 players having spent all or part of 2009 in the Rubber City. Some of those returning Aeros include RHP Vinnie Pestano who converted 24 of his 27 save opportunities including 12 straight. INF Beau Mills and INF Lonnie Chisenhall both return and look to be anchors at their respective positions. Also returning to Akron are players Ryan Edell, John Drennen, Matt McBride, Jared Goedert, Opening Day starter and Michigan native Zach Putnam, Erik Stiller, Neil Wagner, Josh Rodriguez, and Brian Grening who made appearances with Mahoning Valley, Lake County, Akron and Columbus last year.
* Same Name, New Role.Opening Day starter Zach Putnam is back in purple and black but will be adjusting to a new role in 2010. Putnam has made the transition from the bullpen, where he appeared in 33 games, to the starting rotation.
* Gaining Prospective.Akron has a number of prospects that are held in high regard by the good folks at Baseball America, with two players slated in the top-10 in the Cleveland system in the magazine's yearly rankings. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall holds down the number two spot in the Indians top-10 with OF Nick Weglarz ranked sixth for the 2010 season.
* History Lesson.Tonight marks the 22nd Opening Day in franchise history, and the Aeros are 12-9 all-time on Opening Day (including a 6-2 mark while the club was based in Canton). While many players through the years have been in the starting lineup twice on Opening Day, only four have ever been in the Opening Day lineup three times. Todd Betts bridged the Canton to Akron transition by starting at third base in both 1996 and 1997 before manning the hot corner again in 1999. The next season in the 2000 opener, both 2B Scott Pratt and LF Jon Hamilton found themselves in the starting lineup.and they would again in 2001 and then again in 2002. Josh Rodriguez is the newest member of the group, having been on the Opening Day Lineup in 2008, 2009 and again this season. Rodriguez, Pratt and Hamilton are the only Aeros to ever appear in three straight Opening Day starting lineup
* Did You Know
On April 8th, 1975 (35 years ago today), Frank Robinson became the first African-American manager in Major League Baseball history, taking over as player-manager for the Cleveland Indians.
Eastern League Stories from April 8, 2010
- Flying Squirrels' Inaugural Game Suspended - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Thunder Victorious on Opening Night - Trenton Thunder
- Crotta Solid, Hitting Timely in Curve's Season-Opening Victory - Altoona Curve
- Sea Dogs Double Phillies to Open Season - Portland Sea Dogs
- Baysox vs. Flying Squirrels Opening Night Washed Out - Chesapeake Baysox
- SeaWolves Fall 4-0 On Opening Night - Erie SeaWolves
- Fisher Cats Edge Rock Cats, 5-4, On Opening Night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Rock Cats Drop 2010 Home Opener, 5-4 - New Britain Rock Cats
- B-Mets B-Mets Opening Night Suspended, To Be Completed Friday - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Aeros Game Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Aeros Announce Opening Day Roster - Akron RubberDucks
- Trenton Announces Opening Day Roster - Trenton Thunder
- Baysox Announce Opening Day Roster - Chesapeake Baysox
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.
