EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Media Notes

Published on May 24, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #41 - Home Game #23 - Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 1:35 P.M.

Akron Aeros (30-10) vs. Erie SeaWolves (24-17)

Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Josh Tomlin (5-1, 3.46 ERA)

Erie - LHP Duane Below (0-0, 3.60 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Monday: AKR RHP Hector Rondon (5-2, 2.17 ERA) vs. ERI RHP Luis Marte (2-4, 4.81 ERA)

Tuesday: AKR RHP Jeanmar Gomez (4-0, 0.31 ERA) vs. REA RHP Vance Worley (3-2, 3.22 ERA)

Wednesday: AKR LHP Chuck Lofgren (3-1, 1.35 ERA) vs. REA RHP Michael Stutes (3-1, 3.98 ERA)

Thursday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (1-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. REA LHP Gustavo Chacin (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

The Book on Josh Tomlin...

- High Strikeouts - 8 (set three times), last 5/19 at Trenton - Most Hits Allowed - 12, set 4/29 vs. Harrisburg

- Longest Outing - 6.2 IP, set 5/13 vs. Bowie - Most Walks Allowed - 3, set 4/29 vs. Harrisburg

- Shortest Outing - 4.1 IP, set 4/29 vs. Harrisburg - HR Allowed (Season) - 4

Has won each of his last three starts, allowing just four runs and 16 hits in 18.2 IP (1.93 ERA) while recording 21 strikeouts

Leads the team with 35 strikeouts and has won five straight decisions; his only loss came in his first start April 10th

Throws a four-seam fastball between 88-92 mph, as well as a curve, slider, and change

Aeros are 6-1 when Tomlin starts

Last time out: Earned the WIN in a 3-1 victory vs. Trenton 5/13 (6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('09)

CURRENT STREAK...................................................... W1 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........................................................ 30-10 (May 24th)

HOME RECORD............................................................ 16-6 WORST RECORD..................................................... 2-1 (April 10th)

ROAD RECORD............................................................ 14-4 SEASON vs. ERIE............................................................................ 1-1

Aerodynamics...

Southern Dominance...Akron defeated the SeaWolves by the final count of 7-6 last night, giving Akron a 6.5-game lead in the Southern Division of the Eastern League. The Aeros' divisional lead has been at least four games for almost the entire month of May as they improved to 30-10 with the win yesterday, 2.5-games ahead of three teams (Norfolk Tides, Brevard County Manatees, and West Michigan Whitecaps) for the best record in professional baseball. Last season, the Aeros advanced to the EL Championship Series despite being six games out of first place on this date. A loss to Erie May 25th last year pushed the Aeros seven games out, but Akron immediately got hot and ripped off 23 wins in the next 28 games to take control of the division.

Beau Knows Clutch...Last night's victory was capped off by a two-out, walk-off base hit by 1B Beau Mills as the Aeros came back from 4-0 and 6-5 deficits to win their first game via walk-off in 2009. Mills, who started the season 3-21 and then battled an 0-13 slump three weeks ago, is batting .286 (10-35) with three of his team-leading 12 multi-hit games since the beginning of the series with Altoona May 14th. He is also tied for the team's best mark in doubles (eight), is second on the team in hits (39), and ranks first in both at-bats (153) and games played (39). The 6-foot-3 slugger was ranked as the best defensive first baseman in the Carolina League last season and has committed only two errors in 38 starts at first in 2009.

Run Producers...The middle of the Akron lineup was the key to victory yesterday, as the 3-6 hitters finished 8-15 with five runs scored, all seven RBI, and two walks. Mills, C Carlos Santana, LF Matt McBride, and RF Nick Weglarz all had two-hit games as the Aeros exploded in key situations, finishing 6-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Santana is batting .367 (22-60) in his last 19 outings including eight multi-hit performances, while McBride collected his first two-hit game as an Aero (on his 24th birthday no less) and Weglarz continued his hot play as the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week.

Stellar Bullpen...The win over Erie last night was a back-and-forth throughout, but Akron was able to prevail thanks to some solid pitching by their relievers. Ryan Edell and Erik Stiller allowed six runs on 12 hits in the first six frames, but RHPs Zach Putnam and closer Vinnie Pestano shut down the SeaWolves on just two hits and a walk in the final three innings. Putnam has now worked six consecutive scoreless innings while Pestano delivered his fourth straight appearance. It should also be noted that although Edell wasn't his sharpest, he did strand four men in scoring position to keep Akron in the game.

All-American Akron...The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Aeros baseball today courtesy of BPI Information Systems, and it is also Pro Football Hall of Fame Day featuring HOFer and former Browns offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure. Meanwhile, Akron is averaging 7,700 fans over their last five games and big crowds are expected the rest of the home stand.

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Eastern League Stories from May 24, 2009


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