EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Notes

Published on August 19, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #130 - Road Game #63 - Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 6:35 P.M.

Akron Aeros (73-56) at Connecticut Defenders (64-63)

Cleveland Indians San Francisco Giants

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Kevin Dixon (8-9, 4.34 ERA)

Connecticut - RHP Garrett Broshuis (12-8, 3.84 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Wednesday: AKR RHP J.D. Martin (9-3, 2.84 ERA) at CT LHP Ben Snyder (1-5, 6.40 ERA)

Thursday: AKR RHP Frank Herrmann (9-6, 4.18 ERA) at CT RHP Dave McKae (7-7, 4.45 ERA)

Friday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (6-7, 3.97 ERA) ERA) at NBR TBA

Saturday: AKR RHP Steven Wright (3-3, 4.69 ERA) at NBR TBA

The Book on Kevin Dixon...

1B- High Strikeouts - 9, set 5/30 vs. Bowie - Most Hits Allowed - 9, set 4/30 vs. Erie

- Longest Outing - 8.0 IP, set 5/20 vs. ALT & 8/13 vs. CT - Most Walks Allowed - 5, set 4/19 at Bowie

- Shortest Outing - 2.1 IP, set 4/24 vs. Harrisburg - HR Allowed (Season) - 15

Looking for his first win since July 12th, going 0-4 in his last six outings despite three quality starts and a four-inning save

- Leads the Aeros with 98 strikeouts and 139.0 innings pitched (third-most in the Eastern League)

Throws a four-seam fastball between 87-92 mph, as well as a sinker (two-seamer), changeup, slider and splitter

Aeros are 13-10 when Dixon starts

Last time out: Took the LOSS in a 3-2 defeat vs. Connecticut 8/13 (8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('08)

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

LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 1-4 LONGEST LOSING STREAK........ 3 (set 5x, last 8/15 - current) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 3-7 BEST RECORD....................................................... 61-35 (July 14th)

HOME RECORD............................................................ 37-30 WORST RECORD................................................... 8-13 (April 25th)

ROAD RECORD............................................................ 36-26 SEASON vs. CONNECTICUT....................................................... 1-2

Aerodynamics...

Sunday, Bloody Sunday...Akron's late-season slide continued Sunday afternoon, as New Britain's David Winfree socked a grand slam off Aeros closer Randy Newsom to break open what had been a tight game and lead the Rock Cats to an 8-2 victory in the series finale. The win capped a three-game sweep for the Cats, the first time they had swept Akron since 1997. After Akron DH and Cleveland rehabber Victor Martinez got the crowd on its feet with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, New Britain battled back with the long ball in the third. Steve Tolleson ripped an RBI double to right-center off Akron starter Steven Wright to tie the game, and Dustin Martin then boomed a two-run shot into the right field bleachers on the very next pitch to put New Britain ahead for good. Danny Valencia added a solo shot later in the frame as the Aeros fell for the sixth time in their last seven games.

What a Difference a Week Makes...Last week, the Aeros were one out away from shutting out Trenton and ending their road trip 5-3, while also taking three of five from the Thunder. Then Edwar Gonzalez hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer on the first pitch he saw from LHP Reid Santos to give Trenton a 3-2 walk-off win, and the Aeros simply haven't been the same since. Akron managed only nine runs on the six-game homestand against Connecticut and New Britain immediately following the loss to the Thunder, dropping five of those games. The Aeros did get several notable pitching performances on the homestand (highlighted by J.D. Martin's 5.2 shutout innings against the Defenders in Thursday's win), but the bats have gone silent as Bowie has turned a two-game deficit into a two-game lead in the Southern Division.

LaPorta Update...Akron LF Matt LaPorta was diagnosed with a mild concussion after being hit in the head by China pitcher Chen Kun in Team USA's 9-1 victory yesterday. Luckily, all other tests came back negative for the native of Port Charlotte, FL, and he is listed as day-to-day. He said he hoped to be back on the field for tomorrow's final preliminary game against Japan, although U.S. manager Davey Johnson would not confirm that. LaPorta was allegedly hit intentionally after he and teammate Nate Schierholtz were involved in collisions at the plate in consecutive innings. LaPorta bowled over catcher Wang Wei (China's top player) in the fifth inning, and was then drilled while leading off the bottom of the seventh. Wang, who plays stateside for the Class A-Advanced High Desert Mavericks (Seattle Mariners) of the California League, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on the play. LaPorta said he felt "terrible" for Wang's injury, and sent him a note of condolence.

We Love You Portland!...Flowers, or at the very least thanks, are in order for the Portland Sea Dogs after they swept Harrisburg this weekend. Thanks to Sunday's 3-2 win, Akron's magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to nine.

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