Aeros Media Notes
May 16, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Games #33 & 34 - Road Games #13 & 14 - Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 5:05 P.M.
Akron Aeros (25-7) at Altoona Curve (11-22)
Cleveland Indians Pittsburgh Pirates
Today's Starters - Game 1: Akron - RHP Erik Stiller (1-2, 3.79 ERA)
Altoona - RHP Jared Hughes (1-4, 2.22 ERA)
Game 2: Akron - RHP Carlton Smith (2-0, 2.65 ERA)
Altoona - RHP Yoslan Herrera (2-0, 3.55 ERA)
Upcoming Probables:
Sunday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (0-0, 0.00 ERA) at ALT RHP Mike Crotta (3-0, 3.67 ERA)
Monday: OFF DAY
Tuesday: AKR RHP Josh Tomlin (4-1, 3.82 ERA) at TRE LHP Wilkin de la Rosa (1-0, 2.45 ERA)
Wednesday: AKR RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3-0, 0.45 ERA) at TRE RHP Zach McAllister (2-1, 2.38 ERA)
The Book on Erik Stiller...
- High Strikeouts - 3, set 4/24 (2) vs. ALT and 4/28 vs. HAR - Most Hits Allowed - 3, set 4/24 (2) vs. ALT and 5/1 at BOW
- Longest Start - 3.1 IP, set 5/11 vs. Bowie - Most Walks Allowed - 3, set 5/7 (2) at Altoona
- Shortest Start - 2.0 IP, set 5/7 (2) at Altoona - HR Allowed (Season) - 0
- Making his third straight start and fourth of the year, his first full-time starting assignment since winter ball in 2007
Has allowed eight runs in eight innings as a starter, yet only three of those runs have been earned
Throws a four-seam fastball between 90-94 mph, as well as a two-seamer, curve, cutter, and change
Aeros are 0-3 when Stiller starts
Last time out: Took the LOSS in a 3-1 defeat vs. Bowie 5/11 (3.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)
The Book on Carlton Smith...
- High Strikeouts - 3, set 4/30 vs. Harrisburg - Most Hits Allowed - 4, set 4/25 vs. Altoona
- Longest Outing - 3.2 IP (relief), set 5/11 vs. Bowie - Most Walks Allowed - 1 (set three times), last 4/30 vs. Harrisburg
- Shortest Outing - 1.1 IP, set 4/15 vs. Altoona - HR Allowed (Season) - 1
- Making his first start of the season in game two of tonight's doubleheader
Worked exclusively as a starter in Class A Kinston last season, finishing 12-6 and tying for the league lead in victories
Throws a four-seam fastball between 91-94 mph, as well as a sinker, slider, and splitter
Aeros are 0-0 when Smith starts; Kinston was 17-9 when Smith started in 2008
Last time out: Took a NO-DECISION in a 3-1 defeat vs. Bowie 5/11 (3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('09)
CURRENT STREAK...................................................... W3 LONGEST WINNING STREAK......................... 7 (4/17 - 4/24 (1))
LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 3-2 LONGEST LOSING STREAK.................................. 2 (5/12 - 5/13) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 7-3 BEST RECORD.......................................................... 25-7 (May 15th)
HOME RECORD............................................................ 15-5 WORST RECORD..................................................... 2-1 (April 10th)
ROAD RECORD............................................................ 10-2 SEASON vs. ALTOONA................................................................ 8-3
Aerodynamics...
Late Arrival...It took until the top of the eighth inning last night, but the Aeros finally took command as RF Matt McBride ripped an RBI double to left to tie the game and LF Nick Weglarz followed with a booming three-run homer to right-center to give Akron the lead for good en route to a 5-3 win over Altoona. The Aeros had held a 1-0 lead through six innings but missed out on chances to extend the lead, and those missed opportunities loomed large when the Curve finally broke through for a pair of runs off starter Chuck Lofgren in the bottom of the seventh. Akron bounced right back however, scoring the four runs in the eighth on just 11 pitches from Curve reliever Jeff Sues.
O Canada...Weglarz continued to put his 3-48 start further and further behind him with his performance last night. The Canadian finished 2-4 for his sixth multi-hit game this month, while also extending his hitting streak to a season-high six games and boosting his batting average to a season-high .228 entering play tonight. Weglarz is hitting .444 (16-36) with five doubles, three homers, and 18 RBI in just 11 games this month, while also scoring seven runs, drawing eight walks, reaching base at a .543 clip and holding an .833 slugging percentage.
Ground Chuck...LHP Chuck Lofgren continued his outstanding season last night, turning in his team-leading fourth quality start en route to his third win. Lofgren allowed just two runs in seven innings, and remained second in the league with a 1.59 ERA.
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