Aeros Media Notes
Published on May 25, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Game #42 - Home Game #24 - Monday, May 25, 2009 - 1:35 P.M.
Akron Aeros (30-11) vs. Erie SeaWolves (25-17)
Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers
Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Hector Rondon (5-2, 2.17 ERA)
Erie - RHP Luis Marte (2-4, 4.81 ERA)
Upcoming Probables:
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)
Friday: AKR RHP Josh Tomlin (5-2, 3.98 ERA) at ERI TBA
The Book on Hector Rondon...
- High Strikeouts - 9, set 4/28 vs. Harrisburg - Most Hits Allowed - 6, set 4/28 vs. Harrisburg and 5/12 vs. Bowie
- Longest Start - 6.2 IP, set 4/28 vs. Harrisburg - Most Walks Allowed - 1 (set many times), last 5/15 at Altoona
- Shortest Start - 5.0 IP, set 4/22 at HAR and 5/20 at TRN - HR Allowed (Season) - 2
- Has gone 5-1 with a 1.57 ERA in six starts, and 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two outings as a reliever
Tied for the team lead with five wins and a victory today would make him the second six-game winner in the Eastern League
Throws a four-seam fastball between 92-94 mph, plus a two-seamer, changeup, and slider
Aeros are 5-1 when Rondon starts
Last time out: Took a LOSS in a 5-1 defeat at Trenton 5/20 (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR)
UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('09)
CURRENT STREAK...................................................... L1 LONGEST WINNING STREAK......................... 7 (4/17 - 4/24 (1))
LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 2-3 LONGEST LOSING STREAK.................................. 2 (5/12 - 5/13) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 6-4 BEST RECORD....................................................... 30-10 (May 23rd)
HOME RECORD............................................................ 16-7 WORST RECORD..................................................... 2-1 (April 10th)
ROAD RECORD............................................................ 14-4 SEASON vs. ERIE............................................................................ 1-2
Aerodynamics...
Paging Run Support...Akron lost to Erie again last night by the final count of 8-1 in front of 7,274 fans at Canal Park. It was only the 11th loss of the year for the Aeros, who nonetheless are still 5.5 games in front of the SeaWolves in the Southern Division. Akron is now 3-8 when scoring two runs or less, and it was the fifth time in the last two weeks the team was held to zero or one run (all losses). During this time period, the Aeros have averaged only 3.6 runs per game after averaging 5.3 runs per game in the first 27 contests of the season. Akron is also 23-4 when holding their opponents to three runs or less.
Misfortunate May...The Aeros bats have been floundering recently and this is especially true over the last two weeks. Along with averaging fewer runs per game, the team is hitting only .237 and averaging just 1.7 extra-base hits per contest, while prior to this stretch Akron hit .258 as a unit while averaging 2.3 extra-base hits per outing. After their sensational 22-5 start to the season, the Aeros are just 8-6 in their last 14 games since beginning a series with Bowie on May 11th.
Smooth Santana...The offense may be having some trouble these days, but not C Carlos Santana. The no.-1 prospect in the Cleveland system (so determined by the fine folks at Baseball America) has been lighting it up recently and now has nine of his ten multi-hit outings on the season in his past 20 games. In this period he is batting .375 (24-64) to go along with seven of his team-leading nine doubles and 14 of his team-high 27 walks. The 23-year-old product of the Dominican Republic now leads the Eastern League with his .427 on-base percentage and ranks among the top-12 in slugging percentage, home runs and RBI.
Early Bloomers...One of the keys to the early-season success for Akron has been their ability to play from ahead in ball games. Most notably in innings three through five the Aeros are outscoring their opponents 96-49 (an almost 2:1 margin), and of course those innings coincide with making the second trip through the order against a starting pitcher.
Relieving Relievers...Akron's bullpen has been fantastic of late, as the seven current relievers have combined for a 2.93 ERA in their last 40.0 innings. RHPs Erik Stiller and Josh Judy (currently on the disabled list) are the only two pitchers who have allowed more than one earned run in their last three games.
Memorial Day Madness...Today's game starts at 1:35 p.m. and will be the second sold-out crowd of the season at Canal Park. The Aeros wish to thank Subway for sponsoring the game, which is also Dollar Dog Monday as hot dogs will be $1 throughout the day. With 9,000 plus expected on hand today, Akron will now average over 7,800 fans in their last seven home games. The Aeros would also like to recognize the two veterans on our staff, Tom Craven (Marines) and Kevin Brodzinski (Army).
Did You Know...The Aeros have a 3.2-run margin of victory in their 30 wins, and have won seven games by at least five runs.
Eastern League Stories from May 25, 2009
- Smoltz to start tomorrow night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Standing-room-only crowd of 7,057 witnesses Fisher Cats' 7-0 loss - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- B-Mets End Skid, Salvage Series with 5-4 Walk-Off Win - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Defensive Gem Ends Game, Sea Dogs Lose 9-8 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Defenders Take Series From Sea Dogs In Thrilling 9-8 Win - Connecticut Defenders
- Big 6th Inning Leads Aeros to 8-1 Win - Akron RubberDucks
- Trenton Blanks New Hampshire 7-0 On Memorial Day - Trenton Thunder
- Flores joins Sens on rehab - Harrisburg Senators
- Curve Drop Fourth In A Row To R-Phils 6-0 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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