Akron Aeros Game Notes 5-07-08
Published on May 7, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
Game #32 - Home Game #16 - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 7:05 P.M.
Akron Aeros (13-18) vs. Altoona Curve (13-18)
Cleveland Indians Pittsburgh Pirates
Today's Starters: Akron - LHP David Huff (1-1, 2.78 ERA)
Altoona - LHP Corey Hamman (0-4, 5.28 ERA)
Upcoming Probables:
Thursday: AKR RHP Frank Herrmann (3-2, 4.28 ERA) vs. ALT RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (2-0, 5.83 ERA)
Friday: AKR LHP Ryan Edell (1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. TRE LHP Chase Wright (4-1, 2.95 ERA)
Saturday: AKR RHP Kevin Dixon (0-3, 5.97 ERA) vs. TRE RHP George Kontos (1-3, 3.79 ERA)
Sunday: AKR LHP Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.51 ERA) vs. TRE RHP Dan McCutchen (4-2, 2.15 ERA)
The Book on David Huff...
- High Strikeouts - 8, set 4/16 vs. BIN & 4/20 at BOW - Most Hits Allowed - 6, set 4/10 vs. Bowie
- Longest Outing - 7.0 IP, set 4/20 at Bowie - Most Walks Allowed - 3, set 4/26 vs. Harrisburg
- Shortest Outing - 4.0 IP, set 4/5 at Harrisburg - HR Allowed (Season) - 4
- Worked a season-high 7.0 IP his last time out, even though in the eyes of baseball it occurred April 20th thanks to a suspension
Leads the staff with 33 strikeouts in 32.1 IP, an average of 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings
Throws a four-seam fastball between 86-90 mph, plus a two-seamer, curve, slider and circle change
Aeros are 2-4 when Huff pitches
Last time out: Earned the WIN in a 7-3 victory at Bowie 4/20 (suspended game completed 5/2) (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HR)
Aerodynamics...
An Unfair Game...The Aeros couldn't keep their momentum going following a come-from-behind victory in game one of this series, falling 3-1 to Altoona last night in game two of the four-game set. Akron scored seven runs in its final at-bat Monday night but couldn't carry the good feelings over, failing to get multiple runners on the base paths until the bottom of the eighth inning when a bases-loaded, one-out situation yielded just one run.
The Sweet Swede...Akron starter Chuck Lofgren has been dynamite his last two starts, even though the offense couldn't get him any run support in yesterday's affair. The big left-hander held Altoona to just a run on four hits over the course of a season-high seven innings, walking two and striking out seven. Lofgren began the season with an 8.24 ERA in five April starts, with the low-point coming April 25th when Harrisburg chased with seven runs in just 4.2 innings. Following that start Lofgren looked at video tape from this year and compared it to his breakout 2006 season when he went 17-5 with a 2.32 ERA while helping to lead Kinston to the Carolina League title. The verdict? Lofgren realized he was rushing his delivery this year, so beginning with his May 1st start against Erie he made a conscious effort to be much more deliberate with his move to the plate. The results have been dramatic in his last two starts, as the native of Burlingame, CA has allowed just two runs and 10 hits in 13 innings (a 1.39 ERA), with five walks against 16 strikeouts.
The Pinck Panther...Veteran infielder Brandon Pinckney got off to a rough start this year, failing to make a team out of spring training and then joining an already crowded infield once he landed with the Aeros April 17th. Although Pinckney did have a double and a homer in his very first game with Akron, he fell into an 0-18 slump before collecting two hits in Monday night's win. Pinckney then followed that with a 1-3 effort last night in which he scored Akron's only run, and finds himself in the lineup once again this evening. The native of Elk Grove, CA has proven to be a handy contributor at the plate at the Double-A level, with a career .291 average (171-587) in 165 games with the Aeros entering this season.
Nothing But a G Thing...Chris Gimenez's bat is finally starting to catch up to his plate discipline. Akron's catcher (and the media relations department's go-to interviewee) has been an on-base machine all year thanks to a keen eye at the dish (at one point drawing at least one walk in nine straight games), but was lamenting his lack of hits and runs batted in. Being consistently ahead in the count has started to pay dividends however, as he's hitting .353 (6-17) over his current five-game hitting streak and has five doubles and five RBI in his last nine contests, with hits in eight of those games.
Eastern League Stories from May 7, 2008
- Peterson leads Rock Cats to 10-inning win - New Britain Rock Cats
- Huff, Hodges Pace Aeros in 3-2 Win - Newsom Sets Career Saves Record in Victory - Akron RubberDucks
- Aeros edge Curve, 3-2 - Altoona Curve
- Martinez, Coronado Lead Mets To Second Straight Victory - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- 'Wolves Fall In Rain Shortened Game - Erie SeaWolves
- Coke stellar in 6-0 Trenton win over Erie - Trenton Thunder
- Sea Dogs dominate the 'Cats, win 10-0! - Portland Sea Dogs
- Richmond goes 6 strong innings in 10-0 loss to Portland - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Defenders stifle Senators again, 3-2 - Harrisburg Senators
- Defenders Win 3-2 - Connecticut Defenders
- Erie SeaWolves Vs. Trenton Thunder - Game Three Of Four - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Akron Aeros Game Notes 5-07-08 - Akron RubberDucks
- Fisher Cats To Serve As Guest Bartenders At 'Wild Rover Pub' - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- 7th Annual Morning Game Set For Monday, May 12 - Reading Fightin Phils
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