EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Notes

Published on August 14, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #126 - Home Game #64 - Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 7:05 P.M.

Akron Aeros (72-53) vs. Connecticut Defenders (63-60)

Cleveland Indians San Francisco Giants

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP J.D. Martin (8-3, 3.10 ERA)

Connecticut - LHP Ben Snyder (1-4, 6.92 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Friday: AKR RHP Frank Herrmann (9-5, 4.17 ERA) vs. NBR RHP Yohan Pino (5-5, 4.75 ERA)

Saturday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (6-6, 3.93 ERA) vs. NBR RHP Jeff Manship (1-6, 5.04 ERA)

Sunday: AKR RHP Steven Wright (3-2, 4.47 ERA) vs. NBR LHP Kyle Asleton (4-6, 5.13 ERA)

Monday: OFF DAY

The Book on John Dale Martin...

1B- High Strikeouts - 5, set 6/18 at BOW & 8/8 at TRE - Most Hits Allowed - 6, set 4/25 vs. Harrisburg

- Longest Outing - 3.2 IP, set 5/27 (2) at Harrisburg - Most Walks Allowed - 2, set 4/29 vs. ERI and 5/2 at BOW

- Shortest Outing - 1.0 IP (in relief), last set 7/24 at Altoona - HR Allowed (Season) - 4

Making his fifth start of the season tonight and takes the rotation spot of Scott Lewis, who was promoted to Class AAA Buffalo

Has enjoyed two separate stints with Class AAA Buffalo this year, going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four appearances (started 7/13)

Throws a four-seam fastball between 88-90 mph, in addition to a two-seamer, curve, cutter and change

Aeros are 1-3 when Martin starts

Last start: Took a NO-DECISION in an 8-0 victory at Trenton 8/8 (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('08)

CURRENT STREAK - ................................................. L3 LONGEST WINNING STREAK - .......................... 10 (6/4 - 6/14)

LAST 5 GAMES - ......................................................... 2-3 LONGEST LOSING STREAK - ... 3 (set 4x, last 8/10 - current) LAST 10 GAMES - ...................................................... 4-6 BEST RECORD - ................................................... 61-35 (July 14th)

HOME RECORD - ........................................................ 36-27 WORST RECORD - .............................................. 8-13 (April 25th)

ROAD RECORD - ........................................................ 36-26 SEASON vs. CONNECTICUT - ................................................... 0-2

Aerodynamics...

About Last Night...The Aeros took an early 2-0 lead against Connecticut last night, but a two-run homer from Adam Witter tied the game before Dave Maroul won it with a solo shot in the eighth for a 3-2 Defenders victory. Akron took the lead in the first inning as 3B Wes Hodges drove in his 86th run of the season with a solid single to left, and the Aeros plated their final run in the second inning on a solo home run by CF Nathan Panther, his sixth of the season. The offense managed just four hits over the final seven innings however, as the Defenders came back against starter Kevin Dixon (8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). It was the right-hander's team-leading 14th quality start of the season.

Close Game Trouble...After winning 63.5 percent (61-35) of their games before the All-Star break, the Aeros have dropped 18 of 29 since, and a big reason for that has been an inability to win close games, something they excelled at in the first half of the season. In the first half of the year the Aeros were 32-12 in one or two-run games, including an 18-4 mark in one-run affairs. But since the break, the Aeros are 3-15 in one or two-run games, while posting a 1-8 record in one-run games.

Roster Moves...The Aeros made three roster moves today, promoting LHP Scott Lewis to Class AAA Buffalo and receiving IF Josh Barfield from Cleveland on a rehab assignment and RHP Neil Wagner from Class A Kinston. Lewis (6-2, 2.33 ERA) was the reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, Barfield has missed two months with a torn tendon in the middle finger of his left hand, and reliever Wagner was 3-6 with a 4.50 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 62 innings with Kinston.

Unfamiliar Territory...For the first time since June 15th, the Aeros find themselves in second place in the Southern Division. Akron hit its high-water mark in both record (60-34) and games ahead (7.5) on July 12th, but that lead has evaporated entirely as Bowie has now opened up a one-game lead over the Aeros. While Akron has stumbled since the break the Baysox have gone on a roll, winning 20 of 28 in the second half.

Olympic Update...Akron LF Matt LaPorta's three-run home run helped Team USA to a 7-0 win over the Netherlands in round robin play last night. Team USA improved to 1-1 and will face 2-0 Cuba at 11:30 p.m. ET tonight. Aeros RHP T.J. Burton did not appear in Team Canada's 7-6 loss to Cuba this morning, but Class A Kinston OF Nick Weglarz was 4-4 with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored.

Grab Bag...The Aeros are looking to avoid their first four-game losing streak since losing five in a row August 15th-21st of last year...OF Ryan Goleski is 6-11 (.545) with two doubles, two home runs and three RBI in his last three games... Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to 13 with Harrisburg's 2-0 loss to New Hampshire yesterday.

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Eastern League Stories from August 14, 2008


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