EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Ride Dixon's Gem to 3-0 Win

Published on May 20, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Aeros starter Kevin Dixon tossed eight shutout innings and Wes Hodges roped a two-run double in the first to lead Akron to a 3-0 victory over Altoona in front of 5,423 fans at Canal Park Tuesday night. The Aeros moved to 20-21 on the season with their fourth shutout of 2008, and Akron pitching has now turned in 17.1 consecutive scoreless innings. The Curve fell to 15-26.

The Aeros picked up the only runs they would need in the first inning, as Josh Rodriguez drew a one-out walk and Chris Gimenez followed with a single to start the rally. Hodges then drove a 2-0 fastball off the wall in left-center to drive in both runners and give the Aeros a 2-0 lead. Hodges leads the Eastern League with 37 RBI in 41 games. Akron ran Curve starter Jimmy Barthmaier from the game later in the inning after the right-hander issued consecutive walks to Matt Whitney and Nathan Panther to reach the 35-pitch mark in the inning, arriving at the limit Pittsburgh puts on its minor league pitchers.

The Aeros added another run in the third when Hodges drew a one-out walk, and Stephen Head drove his own RBI double off the wall to the deepest part of the park in center field, scoring a sliding Hodges to give the Aeros a 3-0 lead that proved to be insurmountable the way Dixon was pitching.

Dixon faced the minimum through three innings, allowing just a single to Brad Corley, whom the Aeros quickly eliminated on a nifty 3-6-1 double play. The Curve brought runners to first and third in the fourth with two down, but Corley popped to short to end any chance of a two-out rally. That pop-up started a string of 13 consecutive outs for Dixon to end his best outing of the season and his fourth straight quality start.

Dixon (2-3) nailed down the win with a final line of eight innings, two hits, no runs, no walks and five strikeouts, while dropping his ERA nearly a full run from 5.26 to 4.34. His eight-inning sting tied left-hander Ryan Edell for the longest start by an Aeros pitcher this year. Barthmaier (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks in just two-thirds of an inning. Randy Newsom snagged his 12th save in as many chances and moved into a tie with Bowie's Julio Manon for the Eastern League lead. It was also the 30th career save for Akron's all-time leader.

The Aeros will look for their first three-game winning streak of the season Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. as they continue this four-game series. Left-hander David Huff (3-1, 2.14 ERA), the reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, is Akron's scheduled starter, while Altoona will send Yoslan Herrera (3-3, 2.57 ERA). Cleveland Indians reliever Joe Borowski will also be in uniform for a rehab assignment as he continues to work his way back from a right triceps strain. Wednesday is Family Pack Day at Canal Park with four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, and four sodas for just $48. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from May 20, 2008


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