Daily Recap: 7/8

I'll have a special Minor Happenings later this afternoon sort of giving an update on the Sabathia/LaPorta trade with comments from some scouts, agents, LaPorta, and Farm Director Ross Atkins as well as many other things.

Anyway, I was at the press conference in Akron on Tuesday night.....what a crazy scene. I'll explain more in the article as well. In any case, LaPorta is now officially here and I gotta say I was very impressed with his confidence and composure in handling the media swarm of about 30-some reporters and 3-4 TV cameras.

The game was rained out, but I was still able to talk to catcher Wyatt Toregas and manager Mike Sarbaugh at length. So look for pieces involving them soon.

One thing Sarbaugh mentioned in our talk was that Chuck Lofgren is back, but that he will initially pitch out of the bullpen.

Aeros and Baysox Rained Out Tuesday

AKRON, OH – Matt LaPorta’s highly anticipated Akron debut consisted of about 35 minutes, 610 questions from the media, and an inch-and-a-half of rain that forced the postponement of Tuesday’s game against Bowie. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 6:05 p.m. and will consist of two seven-inning games. Fans with tickets to Tuesday’s game may exchange them for any future 2008 home game, subject to availability.

LaPorta, the centerpiece to the blockbuster trade that shipped Cleveland ace CC Sabathia to Milwaukee, was slated to hit third and play left field Tuesday.

Akron is expected to send left-hander Scott Lewis to the hill in game one Wednesday, with Jim Deters following in game two. Bowie’s starting pitchers have yet to be announced. The game broadcast begins at 5:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

CAPTAINS GAME POSTONED ON TUESDAY

(Eastlake, OH) – The Lake County Captains game against the Hickory Crawdads game scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday beginning at 5:05 PM. Fans with tickets can exchange them for any other regular season game based on availability. Tickets must be exchanged in person at the Ticket Office or the National City Ticket Information Center prior to entering the gates for another game. For Captains ticket information please call 440-954-WINS.

The Captains will send RHP Joey Mahalic (6-2, 4.26) to the mound in game one against the Crawdads RHP Matt McSwain (3-3, 2.21). In game two, Captains LHP Ryan Miller (7-3, 2.40) will square off against RHP Rafael De Los Santo (2-7, 5.28). All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo split a doubleheader winning 3-0 and losing 4-3. In the 3-0 win, newcomer LHP Zach Jackson picked up the win throwing 2 shutout innings of relief allowing 1 hit, no walks and did not strike anyone out. SS Asdrubal Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a 2B, HR, and an RBI. Catcher Chris Gimenez went 1-for-3 with a HR and 2 RBI. In Game 2, Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a 2B and 1B Jordan Brown went 2-for-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.

- Kinston had a scheduled off day.

- Mahoning Valley had a scheduled off day.

- The GCL Indians were postponed because of rain.

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