Packer Joins Aeros, Starts Tonight
Published on July 19, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
AKRON, OH - The Cleveland Indians announced Thursday that lefthanded pitcher Matt Packer has been promoted from the Carolina Mudcats to the Akron Aeros. Packer is expected to start for the Aeros tonight in the series opener at Richmond.
Packer, 24, spent all of last season as a starting pitcher with the Aeros. This season, he developed shoulder soreness in spring training and opened the season in extended spring training in Arizona. He was activated from the DL and assigned to Class-A Carolina on July 9th.
He made two appearances with the Mudcats, throwing eight shutout innings. He made one start, taking the mound July 14th on the road against Frederick (Orioles). He worked five innings, shutting out the Keys on three hits. During his stint with the Mudcats, Packer fanned seven and walked only one.
With the Aeros last season, Packer made 27 starts and won a career-high nine games, going 9-12, with a 4.31 ERA. He led the Aeros in innings (169 1/3) and strikeouts (129). He issued only 33 walks last season. Packer also appeared briefly with the Aeros in 2010, going 1-2, 3.16, in six games, five starts.
Packer was selected by the Indians in the 32nd round of the 2009 draft out of the University of Virginia. As a sophomore in 2008, Packer led the NCAA with a 1.14 ERA. Prior to college, he was a high school All-American at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Aeros roster now stands at 25 players.
The first-place Aeros will begin a four-game weekend series at Richmond tonight at 7:05. All Aeros games are broadcast on Fox Sports 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at 330-253-5151.
Eastern League Stories from July 19, 2012
- Aeros Run Win Streak to Seven, Nip Squirrels, 4-3 - Akron RubberDucks
- Sea Dogs Win in 9th 3-2 Over Fisher Cats - Portland Sea Dogs
- B-Mets Win Extra-Inning Nail Biter, 4-3 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- B-Mets Outlast Baysox in 10 Innings - Chesapeake Baysox
- Akron Edges Squirrels in Series Opener, 4-3 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Hall, Medchill Lead Thunder Past Phils, 1-0 - Trenton Thunder
- Jenkins Sparkles in 3-2 Loss to Sea Dogs - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Senators and New Britain Rock Cats Suspended on Thursday Night - Harrisburg Senators
- SeaWolves-Curve Series Opener Postponed - Altoona Curve
- SeaWolves and Curve Postponed - Erie SeaWolves
- Erie SeaWolves at Altoona Curve - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Bowie Baysox Make Player Moves - Chesapeake Baysox
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes vs. Akron - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- B-Mets Game Notes: at Bowie Baysox - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Pitcher Mark Montgomery Promoted to Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Packer Joins Aeros, Starts Tonight - Akron RubberDucks
- Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
- Date and Time Announced for 2013 Pirates-Curve Exhibition - Altoona Curve
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.
