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Aeros Media Notes

September 18, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Playoff Game #6 - Home Game #3 - Thursday, September 18, 2009 - 7:05 P.M. Akron Leads Best-of-Five Series 2-0

Akron Aeros (5-0, 89-53) vs. Connecticut Defenders (3-3, 83-59)

Cleveland Indians San Francisco Giants

Today's Starters: Akron - LHP Eric Berger (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

Connecticut - LHP Craig Clark (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Saturday (if necessary): AKR LHP Scott Barnes (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. CON LHP Ari Ronick (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday (if necessary): AKR RHP Josh Tomlin (2-0, 1.93 ERA) vs. CON TBA

***END OF SEASON***

The Book on Eric Berger... - High Strikeouts - 8, set 9/12 at Reading (playoffs) - Most Hits Allowed - 13, set 8/7 vs. New Britain - Longest Start - 6.0 IP, set 8/13 at CON and 8/19 vs. BOW - Most Walks Allowed - 4, set 8/24 at Erie

- Shortest Start - 5.0 IP, set 8/24 at ERI and 9/12 at REA - HR Allowed (Season) - 1

- Promoted from Class A Kinston 8/5; ranked second in the Carolina League with a 2.45 ERA, and third with 100 strikeouts

- Pitched Akron into this Eastern League Championship Series with a season-high eight Ks at Reading in his last start

- Lost his Double-A debut, but in six starts since has gone 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 33.0 innings (incl. playoffs)

- Throws a four-seam fastball between 89-92 mph, plus a curveball and changeup

- Aeros are 1-0 in the post-season when Berger starts, and were 4-2 when he started in the regular season

- Last time out: Earned the WIN in a 9-3 victory at Reading 9/12 (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('09)

CURRENT STREAK...................................................... W8 LONGEST WINNING STREAK......................... 8 (8/31 - current)

LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 5-0 LONGEST LOSING STREAK.................................... 6 (7/9 - 7/16) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 9-1 BEST RECORD.............................................. 89-53 (September 7th) HOME RECORD............................................................ 46-23 WORST RECORD..................................................... 2-1 (April 10th) ROAD RECORD............................................................ 43-30 SEASON vs. CONNECTICUT....................................................... 4-2

Aerodynamics...

Road, Sweet Road...The Aeros moved one step closer to their third Eastern League title Wednesday night, surviving for a wild and crazy 7-6 triumph over Connecticut at Dodd Stadium. Akron never trailed in the game, but the Defenders kept the pressure on by scoring in four of the final seven innings and having a runner in scoring position in six innings overall. 2B Josh Rodriguez made the difference with a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to snap a 4-4 tie, and closer Josh Judy then endured despite allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning and allowing the potential tying run to reach scoring position with only one out. The Aeros remained perfect at 5-0 in the post-season with the win, while stretching their franchise-record winning streak to 13 games entering play tonight.

Turning Point...Entering this series, much of the focus was on Connecticut All-Star Brock Bond who hit .333 during the regular season but just .048 (1-21) in six games against Akron. The general consensus was that it was only a matter of time before Bond got going, and he proved that thinking right by reaching base three times and scoring three runs Wednesday night. It was the hit that Bond didn't get that loomed large however, as the league batting champion couldn't deliver in the bottom of the fourth. In game one Tuesday night, Aeros starter Josh Tomlin struck out Bond with runners at second and third to end the fifth. Wednesday night, Akron starter Jeanmar Gomez punched-out Bond with the bases loaded to end the fourth and preserve a 3-1 lead. It marked Gomez's finest escape job on the night, although the right-hander also left a runner at third base in the first and a runner at second base to end the second.

Head Games...LF Jerad Head continued his march toward a possible playoff MVP trophy Wednesday evening, finishing 3-4 with a pair of doubles, a triple, three runs scored and a run batted in. The native of Topeka, KS is batting a cool .400 (8-20) in the post-season, and leads all playoff performers with nine RBI, six doubles and seven extra-base hits, in addition to being tied for second in slugging percentage (.800) fourth in hits (eight). Head has done his damage from the no.-9 spot in the order, as Aeros skipper Mike Sarbaugh has used the same lineup in all five playoff games so far.

History Lesson...The Aeros have won two previous Eastern League crowns, and have clinched the title in front of the home faithful at Canal Park on both occasions. Akron finished a three-game sweep of New Haven in 2003 as Kenny Rayborn got the win, and in 2005 the Aeros upended Portland three games to one with Jake Dittler earning the victory.

Did You Know...Akron has won all five games thus far in the post-season, and has a chance tonight to become the first Eastern League team to go undefeated in the playoffs since Albany-Colonie in 1991.

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