EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Notes

Published on August 17, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #129 - Home Game #67 - Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 2:05 P.M.

Akron Aeros (73-55) vs. New Britain Rock Cats (53-72)

Cleveland Indians Minnesota Twins

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Steven Wright (3-2, 4.47 ERA)

New Britain - LHP Kyle Asleton (4-6, 5.13 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Monday: OFF DAY

Tuesday: AKR RHP Kevin Dixon (8-9, 4.34 ERA) at CT TBA

Wednesday: AKR RHP J.D. Martin (9-3, 2.84 ERA) at CT TBA

Thursday: AKR RHP Frank Herrmann (9-6, 4.18 ERA) at CT TBA

The Book on Steven Wright...

1B- High Strikeouts - 7, set 7/10 vs. BOW & 8/12 vs. CT - Most Hits Allowed - 8, set 6/24 vs. BOW & 7/17 vs. ERI

- Longest Outing - 7.0 IP, set 8/1 vs. HAR & 8/6 at ALT - Most Walks Allowed - 3, set 6/29 vs. REA & 7/10 vs. BOW

- Shortest Outing - 4.0 IP, set 7/4 at BIN & 7/10 vs. BOW - HR Allowed (Season) - 11

- Has pitched well in six starts since the All-Star break, going 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA

Is very tough against left-handers, who are hitting just .232 (22-95) off him with 23 strikeouts in 95 at-bats (righties hit .287)

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

Aeros are 7-4 when Wright starts

Last time out: Took the LOSS in a 4-1 defeat vs. Connecticut 8/12 (4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('08)

CURRENT STREAK...................................................... L2 LONGEST WINNING STREAK............................... 10 (6/4 - 6/14)

LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 1-4 LONGEST LOSING STREAK............. 3 (set 4x, last 8/10 - 8/13) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 3-7 BEST RECORD....................................................... 61-35 (July 14th)

HOME RECORD............................................................ 37-29 WORST RECORD................................................... 8-13 (April 25th)

ROAD RECORD............................................................ 36-26 SEASON vs. NEW BRITAIN......................................................... 0-2

Aerodynamics...

Missed Opportunities...The Aeros scored just two runs last night in their 3-2 loss to New Britain, but it was not for a lack of opportunities as the Aeros stranded 13 runners on the night, including seven in scoring position. Akron put runners on the corners with two down in the first, but RF Bronson Sardinha struck out to end the inning. Sardinha also stranded runners at the corners in the seventh inning when he fouled out against New Britain reliever Jose Mijares. The Aeros put runners on first and second to start the ninth inning as they trailed by just a run, but Rock Cats closer Ben Julianel rallied to get 3B Wes Hodges to fly out, Sardinha to strikeout, and DH Ryan Goleski to fly out.

Pitching's There...Aeros pitchers once again pitched well enough to win last night, as starter Ryan Edell made just two mistakes, surrendering a pair of home runs to plate all three New Britain runs. The left-hander worked 5.1 innings and gave up five hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The bullpen turned in another great outing as RHP Erik Stiller and LHP Reid Santos combined to toss 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with no walks and two strikeouts. The staff leads the Eastern League with a 2.87 ERA in August and is holding opponents to an astounding .203 batting average against, but the Aeros are just 6-10 in the month. The offense is hitting a measly .234 this month while scoring just 3.25 runs per game.

Major League Rehabbers...Today will conclude Indians catcher Victor Martinez's rehab stint with the Aeros. He is expected to get four at-bats as the designated hitter. Tribe second baseman Josh Barfield was 0-2 yesterday with a pair of strikeouts, but after his night was done, he said he felt pain-free. He will likely head to Class AAA Buffalo for his next assignment but will need to concur with Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff to finalize those plans. Martinez is expected to catch six innings with Buffalo Tuesday after another off day tomorrow.

Three-Hit Hodges...Akron 3B Wes Hodges was 3-5 at the dish last night, and tallied his 22nd double and 87th RBI. It was just his second multi-hit performance in his last 15 games and his first three-hit game over his last 17. Hodges, who is second in the Eastern League in RBI, has not driven in multiple runs in a game since August 2nd. On the year, Hodges is hitting .283 with 13 homers and 87 RBI with 51 walks and 97 strikeouts. His 87 RBI are the fifth-most in Aeros single-season history, and he is still within shouting distance of the record of 96, set by Chan Perry in 1997.

Olympic Update...All Olympic baseball teams had the day off last night/this morning, but Team USA will take on host China at 7 a.m. ET Monday morning.

Steady Climb...With Harrisburg's loss to Portland last night, Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to 10.

Check out the Akron RubberDucks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from August 17, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central