Gomez Named Eastern League Player Of The Week

Aeros pitcher Jeanmar Gomez was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week today for the week ending May 24th. Gomez is the first Akron hurler to win a weekly award and the second Aero overall to do so, as outfielder Nick Weglarz claimed Player of the Week honors just last week.

Gomez made just one appearance last week but it was one to remember, as the native of Caracas, VZ threw the first perfect game in Aeros franchise history last Thursday in a 3-0 victory over Trenton at Waterfront Park. It was just the second nine-inning perfect game in the 76-year history of the Eastern League, and was the first individual no-hitter in team history (there were two previous combined no-hitters). Gomez notched eight strikeouts to tie his season-high, while also getting nine groundball outs and 10 fly outs. His performance also marked the first perfect game in Waterfront Park history.

The right-hander has now won all four of his starts since being promoted to Akron on April 29th from Class A Kinston to take the rotation spot of RHP Steven Wright (now with Class AAA Columbus). In his four starts, Gomez has allowed just nine hits, one run and one walk while striking 26 hitters in 29.0 innings. His efforts have translated to a 0.31 ERA here at the Double-A level, he has delivered three straight quality starts, and he has turned in 27.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

The 21-year-old has been one of the best pitchers on the planet this season, ranking second in all of minor league baseball with a .147 batting average against while leading the Cleveland organization in wins (six), strikeouts (41), and ERA (1.35).

Gomez originally signed with the Indians in 2005 and went 5-3 with a 1.33 ERA in the Dominican Summer League that year. He came stateside in 2006 and was 4-3 with a 2.48 ERA in the Gulf Coast League before a breakout year in 2007 that saw him lead Class A Lake County with 11 wins and 140.2 innings pitched. He spent all of last season in the Carolina League, finishing 5-9 with a 4.55 ERA for Class A Kinston, while also setting a new career-high with 110 strikeouts.

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