EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Notes

Published on September 6, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Playoff Game #4 - Home Game #2 - Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 6:05 P.M.

Akron Aeros (80-62, 2-1) vs. Bowie Baysox (84-58, 1-2)

Cleveland Indians Baltimore Orioles

Akron Leads Best-of-Five Series 2-1

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Frank Herrmann (11-6, 4.10 ERA)

Bowie - RHP Chris Tillman (11-4, 3.18 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Sunday if nec. (SDCS Game 5): AKR RHP Kevin Dixon (9-11, 4.41 ERA) at BOW RHP Zach Clark (4-2, 3.60 ERA)

Monday: OFF DAY

Tuesday (ELCS Game 1): Trenton Thunder at Southern Division Champion

Wednesday (ELCS Game 2): Trenton Thunder at Southern Division Champion

The Book on Frank Herrmann...

- High Strikeouts - 8, set 8/10 at Trenton - Most Hits Allowed - 12, set 5/18 at Reading

- Longest Outing - 7.1 IP set 8/10 at TRE and 8/21 at CT - Most Walks Allowed - 3 (set five times), last 8/30 at ERI

- Shortest Outing - 2.1 IP, set 5/18 at Reading - HR Allowed (Season) - 9

- Rolled off five straight quality starts in his last six outings, going 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 27 strikeouts against eight walks

- Struck out 34 in his last 38.2 innings, with seven or more Ks four times (didn't have more than six Ks in his first 17 starts)

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

Aeros were 13-10 when Herrmann started in the regular season

Last time out: Earned the WIN in a 7-5 victory at Erie 8/30 (6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 WP)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('08)

CURRENT STREAK...................................................... W1 LONGEST WINNING STREAK............................... 10 (6/4 - 6/14)

LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. 3-2 LONGEST LOSING STREAK.................................. 4 (8/15 - 8/19) LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... 5-5 BEST RECORD....................................................... 61-35 (July 14th)

HOME RECORD............................................................ 39-31 WORST RECORD................................................... 8-13 (April 25th)

ROAD RECORD............................................................ 41-31 SEASON vs. BOWIE.................................................................. 13-11

Aerodynamics...

We're Glad You're Here...The Aeros got a big boost from the rehabbing Travis Hafner last night, as the Cleveland Indians' star broke the game open with a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning, turning a 2-0 lead into a 6-0 lead as Akron went on to win a pivotal game three matchup by a final count of 6-2. The Aeros now lead this best-of-five series two games to one, and can clinch their four straight trip to the Eastern League Championship Series with a win tonight. A victory would also set up a rematch with the Trenton Thunder, who bested Akron in four games for the title last year and earned a return trip to the ELCS by virtue of a 5-4 win over Portland last night, sweeping the Sea Dogs in the process.

Dude, You're Getting Edell...In addition to Hafner's big swing, the Aeros got an exceptionally clutch start from left-hander Ryan Edell, who carried a shutout into the eighth inning and recorded 13 straight outs before a one-out double from Blake Davis chased him. Edell finished the night with just a run and four hits against him, walking one while striking out seven. The native of Boston allowed hits in each of the first three innings, but settled in after walking Matt Wieters to start the fourth as the Baysox managed only a fielder's choice over the next four frames. Relievers Erik Stiller and Tony Sipp combined to get the final five outs, although they did allow three hits and a walk as the Baysox got the potential tying run to the on-deck circle in the ninth.

Rodriguez Rolling...Akron 2B Josh Rodriguez has suffered through a tough two months since the All-Star break, hitting only .183 since the break compared with a .266 mark that earned him a trip to Manchester, NH for the annual All-Star game in mid-July. The native of Houston, TX has come alive in the playoffs however, continuing to settle in at the top of the order and collecting two hits and scoring two runs for the second straight night. Rodriguez reached base in each of his first three plate appearances, tripling to start the game for the second consecutive game, walking in the second, and beating out an infield single in the fourth. He leads the club with five hits and four runs scored in the post-season, and his.385 batting average is second on the team to only LF Matt LaPorta at an even .400 clip.

History Lesson...History is with Bowie tonight, as the Baysox have never been eliminated from the playoffs in four games in franchise history. Of course, Bowie has never won a playoff series in club history either (losing in five games in each of its previous three playoff trips) so it may just be a matter of time.

Programming Note...Tonight's game will be carried over the air on News Talk 640-AM, WHLO.

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