Aeros lasso championship
Sunday, September 18, 2005
From wire reports

Jake Dittler and Akron allowed only one run over 24 innings, again
dominating from the opening pitch as the Aeros ousted the visiting
Portland Sea Dogs, 4-1, to win their second Eastern League
championship in three seasons.

Akron wins the series, 3-1.

"Our pitching staff carried us throughout the year and showed again
what it can do in the final series," said Akron manager Torey Lovullo,
who also led most of the Aeros to a Carolina League title in 2004
while piloting Class A Kinston.


Outfielder Nathan Panther, who began the season in Kinston before
joining the Aeros on Aug. 11, was named playoff MVP after hitting .380
(12-for-31) in eight games. He went 4-for-4 in the finale and finished
with a pair of doubles, two triples, a homer and five RBI.

The Akron staff held Portland scoreless for 23 2/3 consecutive innings
and almost tossed a second consecutive shutout before Hanley Ramirez's
RBI double in the ninth inning.