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| (Photo Credit - Lianna Holub) |
The Aeros continue to struggle in creating runs. They rank second to last in the Eastern League in runs scored, yet rank third in team ERA. We'll see if the starting staff can withstand the loss of Scott Barnes to Columbus and if T.J. McFarland can fill in with his opportunity at Double-A in Akron's rotation.
Latest Landings: Bowie (2-1), Reading (1-2)
Future Itinerary: Bowie (4), @ Binghamton (3), @ Atloona (4), Trenton (3)
As it Stands: Akron is currently in third place in the Eastern League Western Division and 1 game back of first place.
On the Mound
T.J. McFarland got the call after Barnes was promoted and made his debut against Reading on Thursday. McFarland went just 4.1 innings, giving up three runs off six hits and three walks. McFarland made one start in Akron last year, although it was simply a spot-start and it didn't go well. Now he has a more extended opportunity to show his stuff at the Double-A level.
Kelvin De La Cruz gave up the most runs he has all season and took his third loss of the season. He also went as deep into a game as he has all season and still struck out six. All in all, DLC's season has been solid, he just doesn't have the wins to show for it.
From the 'Pen
Closer Cory Burns was finally stopped from striking out more than one hitter in a appearance. Burns struck out just one in his sixth save of the season over Reading on Thursday. Burns has still n ot walked a hitter though and has only given up a pair of hits.
Nick Hagadone finally walked a hitter himself, but continued his run of two inning shutout appearances with four more strikeouts. Matt Langwell tossed a scoreless frame against Bowie on Tuesday while CC Lee made two appearances, giving up a pair of runs on Wednesday.
Swinging Sticks
The seven game hitting streak by John Drennen came to an end last week, but Drennen has wasted no time getting a new one going. Drennen is 5-for-11 on the homestand with a pair of doubles. He now is on a three-game hit streak and is fourth in the Eastern League in on-base percentage.
The Aeros offense has really been non-existent. Tim Fedroff had a solo home run, one of his three hits in the last series against Reading and Jordan Henry played just one game. Chun Chen knocked in just two runs in the past week and Kyle Bellows is one for his last 17.
Juan Diaz and Matt McBride added home runs against Bowie, but overall there has been a lack of production. Karexon Sanchez finally collected his first hit, hitting a home run and knocking in three RBI on the homestand.
The club has yet to score over six runs this season and they've been shutout four times this year.
Additional Notes
Got a chance to check out Nick Hagadone behind the plate. He really pops the glove with his fastball. He walked his first hitter of the year and really looks as good as you could imagine. He may not be in the Aeros pen much longer, as Columbus may be calling.
It has been very wet here in Northeast Ohio as you are likely aware. The rain has really had it's hand on Akron too, with Monday's game being postponned. They also lost a game in Reading, with a started game getting suspended and restarted as a part of a double header.
Brett Brach made a spot-start as a result to Scott Barnes getting called up. He made the start and was sent back to Kinston, but picked up the win before that. Brach gave up just two hits and walked one going six shutout frames.
Austin Adams was scheduled to start Monday's game against Bowie and will now start one game for Akron in a scheduled double header on Tuesday. Eric Berger will start the second game, which will likely be a bullpen game for the Aeros.
Transaction Report
April 19: LHP Scott Barnes sent to Columbus
RHP Brett Brach received from Kinston
April 20: RHP Brett Brach sent to Kinston
LHP T.J. McFarland received from Kinston
April 25: IF Jason Donald received on Rehab Assignment
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Nino covers the Akron Aeros season-long here at the IPI. He has his own blog at The Tribe Daily and you can follow him on Twitter @TheTribeDaily.
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2 comments:
nino, what's the reason Joe Gardner has not been in the starting rotation the last two times out? he went 2-0 in his first two starts and since his last start, nothing.
Frank--
They shut him down because of shoulder fatigue. While something like that is always a worry, the Aeros organization seem as unconcerned as you could be with a top prospect being shut down during the second week of the season.
Gardner is a huge commodity in the system right now, so you can imagine how they are handling him with kid gloves right now. There are many in the system that think he is a top-of-the-rotation guy because of his stuff. No, they aren't going to put the guy up there with White and Pomeranz, but proof is in the pudding, and Gardner has arguably been their best organizational pitcher over the last 9 months.
He should be back in the next week...
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