Aerodynamics Game #64: 06/15/10
GAME #64 ? TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M.
ROAD GAME #30 ? MERCHANTSAUTO.COM STADIUM ? MANCHESTER, NH
AKRON AEROS (32-31) AT NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATS (39-25)
CLEVELAND INDIANS TORONTO BLUE JAYS
AERODYNAMICS…
? Sentimental Sunday… Akron’s franchise-record winning streak finally came to an end Sunday afternoon, as the Portland Sea Dogs defeated the Aeros by a final count of 3-0 at Canal Park. It was the first loss for the team since May 30th in Binghamton as Portland pitchers combined to record just the second shutout of the season against Akron. The visitors scored first on a Ray Chang RBI double in the fifth and Connor Graham permitted another run-scoring hit to make it 2-0in the sixth. Shane Lindsay struck out the first two batters he faced in the Cleveland organization in the seventh, but then allowed two walks while another fielding error helped the Sea Dogs score for the final time. Portland’s Stephen Fife (3-1) earned the win and brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning while Akron starter Alex White (2-2) took the loss and Jason Rice recorded his eighth save.
? Consistent Carolinian… Although the streak ended and White took the loss Sunday, it was yet another solid start from the University of North Carolina product. The 21-year-old right-hander was replaced by the reliever Graham to begin the sixth, officially ending a streak of eight consecutive quality starts with Class A Kinston and Akron. He struggled with his control and pitch count early, but recovered to strike out six batters in his five innings against one run on two hits and four walks.
? End of an Era… Sunday’s loss snapped a 12-game winning streak for Akron in which the team jumped into contention in the Western Division. During the streak, the Aeros pitching staff had a remarkable 2.93 ERA overall while the offense exploded for 5.1 runs per contest. Despite that large margin, nine of the 12 wins were actually decided by one or two runs. The previous record in the franchise’s 22-year history was 11 consecutive games by the 2002 squad in June of that season.
? Rewarding the Rebel… The Aeros made a roster move Monday morning on the way to New Hampshire, as IF Adam Davis was transferred to Class A Kinston and OF Jordan Henry was received from the K-Tribe as well. Davis played in five games or Akron, including four straight starts at four different positions to end last home stand. Henry, Cleveland’s seven-round selection in the June 2009 Draft out of the University of Mississippi, ranked among the leaders in the Carolina League with a .333 batting average, 30 walks and 14 stolen bases. The 22-year-old center fielder will be wearing #17 in his Double-A debut.
? Road Trippin’… Starters Scott Barnes and Luis Perez begin a three-game series between the Aeros and Fisher Cats tonight in Manchester. These two left-handers also met last Wednesday in Akron with Barnes earning the win with 10 strikeouts over seven shutout frames despite Perez’s eight-inning complete game. The Aeros had a 12-hour bus ride during the off day Monday and today’s contest is the start of a six-game trip to New Hampshire and then Maine to play the Portland Sea Dogs.
AEROS STAT OF THE NIGHT:
Nine players on the Akron roster were selected in the first or second round of the MLB Draft. Cleveland drafted seven while Boston picked both Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.
Aerodynamics 