Tagged: Eric Berger

Aerodynamics Game #102: 07/27/10

GAME #102 ? TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M. 

HOME GAME #53 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH

AKRON AEROS (53-48) VS. BOWIE BAYSOX (56-47)
CLEVELAND INDIANS          BALTIMORE ORIOLES
AERODYNAMICS… 

? Monday Madness… The Bowie Baysox slammed the Aeros pitching staff Monday night, earning a 10-5 victory in the opener of Akron’s seven-game home stand. Bowie scored the game’s first three runs in the third and fourth against Aeros starter Paolo Espino before back-and-forth offense highlighted the middle innings. Designated Matt McBride and first baseman Beau Mills each doubled and right fielder Jerad Head had an RBI single in the fourth inning but the Baysox responded to take a 6-2 lead. Akron third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall lined a home run in the fifth while the road team again scored three more runs in the sixth inning. Second baseman Jason Kipnis plated the fifth Aeros with a double while new reliever Nick Hagadone permitted the final run of the night in the eighth. Bowie reliever Ryohei Tanaka (5-11) struggled but earned the win while Espino (9-4) took the loss. 

? Bowie Beat-Down… Espino’s outing Monday snapped a streak of two straight quality starts as the right-hander allowed five runs on a season-high 10 hits despite seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. The Eastern League All-Star entered the game with a 3.71 ERA and failed in his attempt to become the third EL pitcher to win 10 games this season. Reliever Steven Wright replaced him in the fifth inning but fared no better, permitting the next four runs on five hits while only surviving a single inning. 
? Rolaids Relief… Closer Omar Aguilar delivered a shutout ninth inning Monday, striking out the side while only allowing a hit by pitch. The 25-year-old right-hander now is 0-2 with four saves and a 2.18 ERA over 20.2 innings in 16 games since May 31st. 
? Daring Drennen… The left fielder Drennen was productive offensively yet again Monday, finishing 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He now leads qualified Aeros and ranks third in the EL with his .313 batting average this season as he is batting .335 over his past 68 games played since April 25th, including a current 27-game on base streak. Cleveland selected Drennen in the sandwich round (33rd overall) of the June 2005 Draft out of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego. 
? Picture Perfect… Monday’s loss marked the first time an opponent scored double-digit runs against Akron since June 26th, a span of exactly one month. In the 26 games in between these two occurrences, the Aeros pitching staff allowed opponents to average just 3.3 runs per game, eclipsing three runs only 11 times and five runs just five, while collecting a 2.66 ERA. 
? New Beginnings… The Aeros made a few more roster moves today as RHP Anthony Reyes officially joined the team on rehab assignment and LHP Eric Berger was transferred to Class AAA Columbus. Reyes will make his Eastern League debut tonight on a three-inning or 50-pitch limit as he continues his recovery from June 2009 Tommy John reconstructive right elbow surgery. Berger will also make his International League debut tonight while former Akron Aero RHP Josh Tomlin debuts for Cleveland. 
AEROS STAT OF THE NIGHT:  
The white-hot Akron Aeros now lead the 12-team Eastern League with a 15-8 record, 30 home runs, a .290 team batting average and a 2.69 ERA during 23 games in the month of July.

Aerodynamics Game #99: 07/23/10

GAME #99 ? FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M. 

ROAD GAME #48 ? FIRST ENERGY STADIUM ? READING, PA

AKRON AEROS (52-46) AT READING PHILLIES (48-49)
CLEVELAND INDIANS          PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
AERODYNAMICS… 

? End of an Era… Akron’s seven-game winning streak ended in Reading, PA Thursday night as the Phillies defeated the Aeros by the final score of 4-1 in front of 8,319 fans at First Energy Stadium. Drew Naylor pitched eight efficient innings for the R-Phils in the victory while his offense pounced on Akron lefty starter Nick Hagadone in the first. Reading’s Harold Garcia homered for the first time this season that inning and Kevin Mahar added another solo shot in the fourth. The Aeros scored their lone run of the game when shortstop Carlos Rivero doubled and second baseman Cristo Arnal picked up the RBI on a single to left in the fifth. The Phillies added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings as Naylor (9-7) earned the victory, Hagadone (1-1) took his first Double-A loss in his return from the disabled list and Justin De Fratus recorded his first save with Reading. 

? Lefty Lefty… Hagadone remained on a limited pitch count Thursday and was followed by fellow left-hander Eric Berger. The usual starting pitcher permitted three runs (two earned) on six hits in his three innings pitched before leaving in the seventh. Overall, Hagadone and Berger combined to allow all of opposing runs on the night and each of the home runs. Hagadone returned earlier in the day from a two-week stint on the disabled list with left shoulder discomfort and will start again Tuesday. 
? Graham Cracker… The first two pitchers struggled Thursday while reliever Connor Graham finished the game with two shutout innings. He replaced Berger in the seventh and stranded both of his inherited runners with a pair of strikeouts. The Bowling Green, OH native now has a 2.50 ERA as a reliever and if qualified, would lead the EL with his 3.23 ground out-to-air out ratio. 
? Drennen Delivers… Right fielder John Drennen recorded a single in Thursday night’s loss in Reading to extend his hitting streak to seven straight games. The San Diego native now ranks sixth in the Eastern League with a .309 batting average this season and has been one of the league’s best players over the past three months. After starting the year 9-for-46 at the plate, the 23-year-old is batting .331 over his past 66 contests dating back to April 25th with 15 doubles, 28 runs scored and 34 RBI. 
? Summer Session… Despite last night’s loss, July has been a great month for the Akron Aeros pitching staff. The team now owns a 2.17 ERA in 20 games this month, opponents have scored more than four runs on only two occasions and never more than six. 
? Major League… The Aeros made another roster move today as the Cleveland Indians activated Shin-Soo Choo from the MLB 15-day disabled list. Choo participated in three games during Akron’s home stand earlier this week, batting .091 (1-for-11) with a run scored and a stolen base. He played alongside teammate and Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera Monday night when he became the fourth different Cleveland player this season to play at Canal Park, also joining Kerry Wood and Russell Branyan. 
AEROS STAT OF THE NIGHT: 
After starting the season 6-18 at home and 12-10 on the road, the Akron Aeros are now 21-6 in their past 27 home games at Canal Park yet only 13-12 in their last 25 road contests.

Recap 07/22: R-Phils Snap Akrons Streak, Defeat Aeros 4-1

READING,
PA – The Reading Phillies ended a seven-game winning streak for the Aeros
Thursday night, defeating Akron 4-1 in front of a home crowd of 8,319 fans at
First Energy Stadium. Starting pitcher Drew Naylor went eight efficient innings
for Reading as his team led throughout the contest thanks to a first inning run
against Aeros starter Nick Hagadone. Despite the loss, Akron (52-46) remains
only a half-game behind second-place Bowie in the Western Division while the
Phillies improved to 48-49 this season.

Reading
second baseman Harold Garcia recorded the early blow with one out in the first
against Hagadone. On a 2-1 pitch, he homered for the first time this season,
giving the Phillies a very quick 1-0 lead that they would preserve for the rest
of the night.

The
lefty Hagadone, who returned from the disabled list earlier in the day, left
after three innings in favor of usual Aeros starter Eric Berger due to a
limited pitch count. Berger then promptly allowed the game’s second one-out
homer in the bottom of the fourth inning, yet again to left field and this time
by Reading third baseman Kevin Mahar.

Akron
finally pounced on Naylor in the fifth, as shortstop Carlos Rivero hit a
leadoff double for the first hit in a span of 13 batters. Rivero then advanced
to third base on a groundout by catcher Miguel Perez and scored immediately
after on an RBI single to left by second baseman Cristo Arnal. The run cut the
deficit to 2-1, but the Phillies responded yet again.

Leadoff
center fielder Michael Spidale doubled with two outs in the bottom of that fifth
and Mahar collected his second RBI on a single to right. Reading scored their
final run of the night in the seventh on a Spidale single before eventually
stranding the bases loaded.

Naylor
(9-7) was dominant in earning the victory, allowing multiple base runners in
only the fifth inning. He became one of five Eastern League pitchers to win
nine games this season and recorded five strikeouts against four hits, two
walks and the lone run of the game. Hagadone (1-1) took his first Double-A loss
in seven games, permitting just one run in three innings before Berger gave up
three more (two earned) in his three frames. Reading closer Justin De Fratus
then picked up his first save with a shutout ninth.

Arnal
was the only Aero to reach base multiple times overall as he finished 1-for-2
with a walk and the game’s only RBI. First baseman Matt McBride doubled to
extend his road on-base streak to 42 consecutive games while red-hot second
baseman Jason Kipnis earned the night off after hitting safely in the first
seven games after the EL All-Star Break.

The
Aeros look to get back to their winning ways as this four-game weekend series
continues Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at First Energy Stadium in Reading. Akron
left-hander Scott Barnes (5-8, 4.95 ERA) hopes to continue his hot pitching in
July against recently named Phillies starter John Ennis (2-0, 3.03 ERA). Join
Jim Clark for Friday night’s radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox
Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Akron Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Recap 07/22: R-Phils Snap Akron’s Streak, Defeat Aeros 4-1

READING,
PA – The Reading Phillies ended a seven-game winning streak for the Aeros
Thursday night, defeating Akron 4-1 in front of a home crowd of 8,319 fans at
First Energy Stadium. Starting pitcher Drew Naylor went eight efficient innings
for Reading as his team led throughout the contest thanks to a first inning run
against Aeros starter Nick Hagadone. Despite the loss, Akron (52-46) remains
only a half-game behind second-place Bowie in the Western Division while the
Phillies improved to 48-49 this season.

Reading
second baseman Harold Garcia recorded the early blow with one out in the first
against Hagadone. On a 2-1 pitch, he homered for the first time this season,
giving the Phillies a very quick 1-0 lead that they would preserve for the rest
of the night.

The
lefty Hagadone, who returned from the disabled list earlier in the day, left
after three innings in favor of usual Aeros starter Eric Berger due to a
limited pitch count. Berger then promptly allowed the game’s second one-out
homer in the bottom of the fourth inning, yet again to left field and this time
by Reading third baseman Kevin Mahar.

Akron
finally pounced on Naylor in the fifth, as shortstop Carlos Rivero hit a
leadoff double for the first hit in a span of 13 batters. Rivero then advanced
to third base on a groundout by catcher Miguel Perez and scored immediately
after on an RBI single to left by second baseman Cristo Arnal. The run cut the
deficit to 2-1, but the Phillies responded yet again.

Leadoff
center fielder Michael Spidale doubled with two outs in the bottom of that fifth
and Mahar collected his second RBI on a single to right. Reading scored their
final run of the night in the seventh on a Spidale single before eventually
stranding the bases loaded.

Naylor
(9-7) was dominant in earning the victory, allowing multiple base runners in
only the fifth inning. He became one of five Eastern League pitchers to win
nine games this season and recorded five strikeouts against four hits, two
walks and the lone run of the game. Hagadone (1-1) took his first Double-A loss
in seven games, permitting just one run in three innings before Berger gave up
three more (two earned) in his three frames. Reading closer Justin De Fratus
then picked up his first save with a shutout ninth.

Arnal
was the only Aero to reach base multiple times overall as he finished 1-for-2
with a walk and the game’s only RBI. First baseman Matt McBride doubled to
extend his road on-base streak to 42 consecutive games while red-hot second
baseman Jason Kipnis earned the night off after hitting safely in the first
seven games after the EL All-Star Break.

The
Aeros look to get back to their winning ways as this four-game weekend series
continues Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at First Energy Stadium in Reading. Akron
left-hander Scott Barnes (5-8, 4.95 ERA) hopes to continue his hot pitching in
July against recently named Phillies starter John Ennis (2-0, 3.03 ERA). Join
Jim Clark for Friday night’s radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox
Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Akron Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Aerodynamics Game #94: 07/18/10

GAME #94 ? SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 ? 1:35 P.M. 

HOME GAME #48 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH

AKRON AEROS (48-45) AT ERIE SEAWOLVES (38-56) 
CLEVELAND INDIANS          DETROIT TIGERS
AERODYNAMICS… 

? The Comeback… Akron’s hot streak continued Saturday night as the team scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a narrow 6-5 victory over the visiting Erie SeaWolves. The early part of the game was a pitcher’s duel between Aeros lefty Eric Berger and SeaWolves southpaw Charlie Furbush but Erie then struck first for three runs in the fifth on two RBI singles and a run-scoring passed ball. Akron right fielder Matt McBride promptly cut the deficit to 3-2 with a two-run double before Cesar Nicolas of the SeaWolves followed with a two-run homer in the sixth. Aeros slugger Jerad Head then responded with a solo shot in the bottom half of that inning and still trailing 5-3, the Aeros rallied in the bottom of the seventh against Furbush and Erie reliever Zach Simons. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall started with back-to-back doubles, first baseman Beau Mills tied the game with an RBI single and catcher Miguel Perez delivered the game-winner to score Mills on a two-out lining single to left. Reliever Bryan Price (4-2) earned the win, Simons (2-4) took the loss and closer Zach Putnam earned his third save of the season. 

? Priceline… Erie’s offense finally woke up Saturday at Canal Park, but Price was solid as he faced the minimum with four strikeouts and one hit allowed in two shutout innings. The outing by the 23-year-old right-hander was yet another impressive one at home this season, as he is now 3-1 with a 0.82 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 22.0 innings pitched in Akron. 
? Daily Double… The second baseman Kipnis and the third baseman Chisenhall led the Akron offense Saturday night in the team’s third straight victory over the last-place SeaWolves. The young duo that make up the second and third batters in the Aeros lineup finished a combined 4-for-8 with a walk, three runs scored and two doubles last night. Kipnis is now batting .309 in 31 games in Double-A and has a combined batting average .304 this season including 54 contests with Class A Kinston. Meanwhile, the Eastern League All-Star and XM All-Star Futures Game participant Chisenhall also recorded his 40th RBI, third on the team. 
? Movin’ On Up… After recording the save Saturday, Putnam earned his first-ever promotion to the Class AAA Columbus Clippers and the Aeros received RHP Rob Bryson from Class A Kinston. Putnam has spent the past 14 months with the Aeros ever since his May 2009 nod from the K-Tribe while Bryson will join the team after going 2-1 with one save and a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings in the Carolina League. He was acquired by the Indians in the June 2008 C.C. Sabathia trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. 
? Jolly July… The Aeros are now three games over .500 for the first time since mid-April and have been red-hot in many different categories. The offense has 16 extra-base hits in the past three contests, catchers Damaso Espino and Perez have combined to throw out 45.3% of 53 base stealers since May 21st and the team is out-scoring opponents by 40 runs in the 15 games in July. 
AEROS STAT OF THE DAY: 
The Akron Aeros pitching staff now has 17 strikeouts against zero walks in the past two games, and has only allowed 55 free passes with 172 total strikeouts in 19 contests since June 27th.

Recap 07/17: Aeros Rally Late Saturday to Defeat Erie 6-5

AKRON,
OH – The Aeros stormed back to win again Saturday night, striking for three
runs in the decisive seventh inning to claim a 6-5 victory over the Erie
SeaWolves. Akron’s bats pounded the Erie pitching again and finished with 12
hits including four doubles and Jerad Head’s seventh home run of the season in
front of 3,264 fans at Canal Park. The third straight win over the SeaWolves
(38-56) coupled with Bowie’s loss moved the Aeros (48-45) only 1.5 games behind
the second-place wild card spot in the Western Division.

Lefty
starting pitchers Eric Berger and Erie’s Charlie Furbush engaged in an early pitcher’s
duel that held both teams scoreless through the first four innings. The
SeaWolves then struck first in the top of the fifth as a double by Rawley
Bishop ignited a big inning. The designated hitter later scored on a passed
ball while both Michael Bertram and Andy Dirks collected RBI singles to give
the visitors a 3-0 advantage.

Akron
then began a back-and-forth battle and cut the deficit to only 3-2 in the
bottom half of the fifth. Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera doubled
to left, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall continued the rally with a one-out single
and red-hot right fielder Matt McBride followed with a clutch two-run double
right down the left field line.  

Berger
stayed in the game for the sixth inning and ran into trouble with two outs.
Designated hitter Cesar Nicolas delivered the blow with his seventh home run off
the Miller Lite sign in right-center, bringing the Erie lead back to three runs
at 5-2.

The
left fielder Head promptly returned the favor in the bottom of the frame with his
homer to left-center, preceding the game-winning rally that started against
Furbush.

Second
baseman Jason Kipnis and Chisenhall began the seventh inning with back-to-back
doubles that then brought in right-handed reliever Zach Simons. He immediately
retired Matt McBride on a fly out, but first baseman Beau Mills tied the game
at 5-5 with a clutch single to right. Shortstop Carlos Rivero drew a walk, and with
two outs in the frame, catcher Miguel Perez provided the RBI on a single to left
to score Mills as the throw home was cut off to end the inning by catching
Rivero between second and third.

Reliever
Bryan Price (4-2) earned the victory for the Aeros as he struck out four
batters in two shutout innings in relief of Berger. Simons (2-4) blew the save
opportunity and took the loss, allowing the final run of the contest. New Akron
closer Zach Putnam then shut the door in the ninth for his third save of the
season.

Kipnis,
Chisenhall and Perez all finished with two hits on the night as the home team
now has 35 base hits and 20 runs scored in the first three games of this series
against Erie. McBride’s two RBI double brought his season total to 54 runs
batted in, ranking first on the squad, third in the Indians organization and seventh
in the Eastern League.

The
Aeros will look to earn their first four-game series sweep of the year in
tomorrow’s finale at 1:35 p.m. at Canal Park. Fans can save $28 on Sunday family
packs of four hot dogs, four sodas and four bags of chips for only $48. Lefty
Scott Barnes (4-8, 5.08 ERA) makes the start for Akron against SeaWolves right-hander
Thad Weber (6-9, 3.93 ERA). Sunday afternoon’s radio broadcast begins at 12:50
p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

Aerodynamics Game #91: 07/15/10

GAME #91 ? THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M. 

ROAD

HOME GAME #45 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH

AKRON AEROS (45-45) AT ERIE SEAWOLVES (38-53) 
CLEVELAND INDIANS          DETROIT TIGERS
AERODYNAMICS… 
? Monday Madness… The Aeros concluded the first half of the regular season Monday evening in Erie with a 4-2 loss against the SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park. A solid eight-inning performance by Erie starting pitcher Thad Weber led the way as the Akron offense struggled for most of the contest. The Wolves struck first on a three-run home run by Rawley Bishop against Akron starter Eric Berger in the bottom of the third inning. The hosts added on another run in the sixth and a two-out, two-run homer by Matt McBride provided the only scoring of the night for the Aeros in the eighth. Weber (6-9) earned the win by permitting just two runs on eight hits while Berger (4-5) took the loss with five innings pitched and Lester Oliveros recorded his first save. 

? The Dirty Dozen… Left fielder Tim Fedroff also had a productive night at the plate during Akron’s 4-2 loss Monday night. The product of the University of North Carolina collected three singles overall, extending his hitting streak to 12 straight games. Fedroff now leads the Aeros during the 2010 season with 23 multi-hit performances, one ahead of McBride’s 22. 

? Warrior Wright… The Akron bullpen was solid Monday night despite the second straight loss in Erie. Bishop’s home run was the biggest mistake on the night and after the Wolves scored an unearned run in the sixth, right-hander Steven Wright closed the door on the offensive attack. He promptly delivered two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, permitting only one hit and facing the minimum. Cleveland selected Wright in the second round of the June 2007 Draft out of the University of Hawaii. 

? Star Wars… Three Akron Aeros players helped the Western Division capture a 10-3 victory in Wednesday night’s Eastern League All-Star Game in Harrisburg, PA. Left fielder John Drennen and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall both started and played the entire contest while right-hander Paolo Espino struck out the side as a reliever in the fourth inning. Chisenhall finished 1-for-3 with an RBI single in a six-run seventh inning and Drennen was 2-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer in the eighth. 

? Midway Lanes… After 90 games this year, the third-place Aeros stand at an even 45-45 overall and remain in the think of the Western Division playoff race. Akron trails the second-place Bowie Baysox by 2.5 games for the wild card spot, and trail the EL-leading Altoona Curve by 10.5 games. The Aeros won the final five Southern Division pennants in the old division alignment. 

? Home, Sweet Home… Thursday night’s contest marks the start of a busy weeklong home stand for Akron at Canal Park. Tonight is Thirsty Thursday, affiliates night featuring many of the top mascots in the Indians organization and Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will start as he continues his rehab assignment. The Aeros host the Erie SeaWolves for the remainder of the weekend before beginning a crucial three-game series against the Altoona Curve on Dollar Dog Monday. 

AEROS STAT OF THE NIGHT: 
Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera will become the 46th Akron Aeros player this season and the third Indians star to appear at Canal Park on a rehab assignment.

Recap 07/12: Aeros End First Half with 4-2 Loss to Erie

ERIE,
PA – The Akron Aeros lost 4-2 to the Erie SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park Monday
evening, concluding concluded the first portion of the Eastern League regular
season schedule. Erie’s victory helped the host team manage a four-game series
split with the Aeros as starting pitcher Thad Weber pitched eight innings in earning
the win. A three-run third inning homer by Rawley Bishop provided all the
scoring the Wolves (38-53) would need as the loss dropped Akron to an even 45-45
at the midway point of the 2010 season.

Aeros
starting pitcher Eric Berger stranded a pair of base runners in the first
inning before running into serious trouble in the third. The left-hander
allowed a single and a walk to start the rally, and then with one out, the
designated hitter Bishop unloaded a 2-2 pitch to the left field bleachers,
giving Erie the quick 3-0 advantage.

Meanwhile,
the righty Weber cruised through the opposing lineup in the early part of the contest.
He held Akron scoreless through the first six innings with five hits and no
walks, while his offense again broke through against new reliever Bryan Price.

Left
fielder Deik Scram drew a one-out walk, stole second base and promptly advanced
to third on an errant pickoff attempt by Price. Catcher Andy Bouchie then
plated the fourth unanswered run of the contest with a sacrifice fly to right
field.

In
the eight, the Aeros finally managed to score runs against Weber thanks to the
hot bat of designated hitter Matt McBride. Right fielder John Drennen singled
with a pair of outs and McBride homered immediately after, providing the final
margin of the contest.

Weber
(6-9) earned the win as he permitted just two runs total on eight hits with
three strikeouts in his eight innings pitched. Berger (4-5) took the loss in
struggling through the first five frames and Erie reliever Lester Oliveros
earned his first save of the season.

McBride’s
lone hit extended his road on-base streak to all 41 of his games played away
from Canal Park this year and marked his team-leading 13th home run.
Drennen also finished with two hits while streaking left fielder Tim Fedroff
collected three more singles to extend his hitting streak to 12 consecutive games.

The
Eastern League will enjoy a collective day off Tuesday before the EL All-Star
Game at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg, PA Wednesday night. Three Aeros players,
infielder Lonnie Chisenhall, outfielder John Drennen and right-handed pitcher
Paolo Espino will participate in the contest before the second half resumes the
next day.

The
Aeros and the Wolves then continue their season series in the opener of a
weeklong home stand Thursday night at Canal Park. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. on
another Thirsty Thursday and it is Affiliates Night, meaning many of the
mascots in the Indians organization will be on hand. Akron lefty Kelvin De La
Cruz (1-5, 5.69 ERA) will look for his first win in nearly two months in the start
against a currently unannounced Erie pitcher. Thursday’s radio broadcast begins
at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

—AEROS—

Aerodynamics Game #86: 07/08/10

GAME #86 ? THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 ? 7:05 P.M. 

HOME GAME #44 ? CANAL PARK ? AKRON, OH 

AKRON AEROS (42-43) VS. TRENTON THUNDER (52-33) 
CLEVELAND INDIANS          NEW YORK YANKEES 
AERODYNAMICS… 

? Aerial Attack… First baseman Matt McBride led the Aeros with another offensive outburst Wednesday night, as Akron defeated the visiting Trenton Thunder by the final score of 10-2 at Canal Park. McBride began the scoring with a solo home run against in the bottom half of the second inning Trenton starter Lance Pendleton. The Aeros then captured a massive lead thanks to a five-run third inning highlighted by back-to-back two-run base hits from both McBride and designated hitter Beau Mills and then four more runs in the fifth. A two-run home run by Justin Snyder in the eighth was the lone scoring of the night for the Thunder as Akron starter Eric Berger (4-4) earned the win, Pendleton (7-4) took the loss and Steven Wright earned his fourth save. 

? Pride of Bethlehem… McBride has been one of the best players in professional baseball over the last two weeks and he continued his hot stretch Wednesday in Akron. He finished 4-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored on two doubles and a homer, tying team-high marks for any player in a single game with the hits, doubles, runs scored and extra-base hits. The native of Bethlehem, PA is the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week after collecting six home runs in seven games on the road against Richmond and Bowie. McBride’s long shot Wednesday was his first at Canal Park in 2010 as he now leads all Aeros batters with 81 hits, 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 46 RBI this season. He has now started 31 games at first base and 30 at right field this year, and the Indians selected him in the second round of the June 2006 Draft out of Lehigh University as a catcher. 
? Five-Star… The Akron offense scored 10 runs in just the first five innings Wednesday, and at the exact same time, the left-handed Berger was quietly having another solid outing. The 22-year-old avoided damage with five shutout innings in the contest with one strikeout despite tying a 2010 team-high with six walks allowed. He is now 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in his last seven outings and Wednesday night was the University of Arizona product’s second start since his return from the disabled list last week. 
? Mr. Wright… Wright still managed to record the save Wednesday although the Aeros set a new season-record with their eight-run margin of victory. The former University of Hawaii Warrior allowed just one hit in those frames, the two-run home run by Snyder in the eighth, and also struck out five against no walks.. He is now tied with Omar Aguilar for the team-lead among active pitchers with four saves and right-handed batters are batting only .197 (13-66) against him this year in Double-A. 
? Wild, Wild West… Along with Akron’s Wednesday victory, the second-place Bowie Baysox lost moving the Aeros to only 2.5 games out of the wild card spot in the Eastern League’s Western Division. Bowie still trails first-place Altoona by 8.5 games with 40% of the regular season left to play and the top two teams from each division will advance to the EL Playoffs in September. 
AEROS STAT OF THE NIGHT: 
The Akron Aeros pitching staff still leads the Eastern League with 662 strikeouts through 85 games played this season and the offense has struck out 500 times, the fewest in the EL.

Recap 07/07: McBride Stars as Aeros Win Easily 10-2

AKRON,
OH – The Aeros offense picked up steam Wednesday night at Canal Park,
dominating the Trenton Thunder in a 10-2 victory. The outburst followed a
season-low one-hit performance by Akron Tuesday as first baseman Matt McBride
had another dominant outing in front of a crowd of 2,191 fans. The hosts
pounced for five runs in the third inning and four more in the fifth en route
to the win while the pitchers held the Thunder scoreless until the eighth. The
win improved the Aeros to 42-43 on the season while Trenton still leads the
Eastern Division with a 52-33 record overall.

The
scoring began in the second with McBride lofting a solo home run to the left
field bleachers against Trenton starting pitcher Lance Pendleton. The
right-hander then permitted two walks and a single to start the third, and
promptly allowed a run-scoring free pass to Lonnie Chisenhall. McBride followed
with a two-run double to left and designated hitter Beau Mills picked up two
more RBI in extending the lead to 6-0 with a lining single.

A
Jason Kipnis infield single and an error by Trenton first baseman Marcos
Vechionacci then initiated Akron’s rally in the fifth inning. McBride hit a
two-run double for his third extra-base hit in as many at-bats before later
scoring on a wild pitch by reliever J.B. Cox. Right fielder John Drennen and
catcher Miguel Perez ended Akron’s scoring by smacking back-to-back two-baggers
with two outs in the frame to provide for the 10-run advantage.

Aeros
lefty Eric Berger struggled with his control in the start as he allowed six
walks but avoided serious damage to escape with five shutout innings. Relief pitcher
Steven Wright replaced him in the sixth and after two perfect frames, allowed
the only Thunder runs of the night on a two-run home run by third baseman
Justin Snyder in the eighth.

Berger
(4-4) earned the win in just his second start since returning from the disabled
list last Saturday, striking out one and permitting three hits. Pendleton (7-4)
surrendered the first six runs on five hits and three walks in three innings
while Wright allowed just the one hit with five strikeouts in the final four frames
of the game for his fourth save of the year.

McBride
finished the night 4-for-5 with a single, two doubles and a home run as he
collected five RBI overall. His four hits, three extra-base hits and three runs
scored in a game all tied season-highs for any Akron batter and he now leads
the team in hits (81), doubles (18), home runs (11) and RBI (46). Mills drove
in two runs with two hits as well and the eight-run margin of victory was the
largest for the Aeros this season.

The
Akron Aeros hope to secure the series victory in the finale of this quick
four-game home stand at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night at Canal Park. Baseball Bingo
returns to downtown Akron and it is another Thirsty Thursday where fans can
enjoy $1 12-oz. soft drinks and draft beer up until the end of the seventh
inning. Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz (1-5, 5.71 ERA) hopes to earn his first
victory in nearly two months for the Aeros against D.J. Mitchell (7-3, 6.48
ERA) of the Thunder. Join Jim Clark for Thursday night’s radio broadcast beginning
at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 1350 AM and at www.akronaeros.com.
For more information, please call the Akron Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

—AEROS—