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I understand that the Mets farm agreement with Binghamton, New York, in
the Eastern League expires at the end of the 2008 season, and as such,
there are some whisperings about the possibility that Brooklyn could be
moved up from the SS-A New York/Penn League to the EL to replace
Binghamton.

How do you feel and what do you think of this possibility?

I welcome your comments, as I am a devotee of the First Amendment.

Well, Mike, my original post for a Double A World Series called for
all three leagues to take part, but it wasn't posted, as far as I
know, until lately, because, unfortunately, our moderator, and I'm
not blaming him, was asleep at the switch!

Here's my idea over again:

The Champions of the Eastern, Southern, and Texas Leagues, in a round-
robin tournament to decide the Champion team in AA Baseball.

Here's my layout:

Game One - Eastern vs. Southern
Game Two - Southern vs. Texas
Game Three - Texas vs. Eastern

In the event two teams should be at the top at the end, or, Athena
forbid, all three teams are identical (1-1), then we determine on
this basis:

    Total number of runs scored
    Multiply by 100
    Divide by total number of runs allowed

Using this form of percentage, the top two teams would advance to a
one-game playoff, with the winner being crowned Double-A Champions!

The reasons I chose to play it at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie,
Maryland were as follows:

    One - it holds 10,000
    Two - I have a brother in nearby Davidsonville, Maryland

Let me know what you think of this idea.

Hope to see you at the old ballpark!  Have your popcorn and soda
ready!

--- In AABall@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Sopp" <mikesopp@...> wrote:
>
> I like the idea of a AA World Series, but it couldnt be a true world
> series without the 3 leagues participating.  How would you do that?
> The only way i could say is have one league bid to host it each
year,
> and have the host team receive an automatic entry into the series -
> then play it as a round robin similar to the College World Series.
>
>
>
>
> --- In AABall@yahoogroups.com, "georgecatzi" <georgecatzi@> wrote:
> >
> > Yesterday, I posted here regarding a Double-A World Series, and I
> > expected it to be sent by today.
> >
> > I haven't seen it yet!
> >
> > I hope my post wasn't too bad for everyone, it was just an idea.
> >
> > So, since our main interest in AA Baseball here is primarily the
> > Eastern and Southern Leagues, how about we just limit the AA
World
> > Series to those two leagues?
> >
> > If, in the opinion of some here, the Texas League isn't worth our
> > bother, then, maybe, just talking about Eastern and Southern
Leagues
> > is best.
> >
> > So, here's the new plan for such a series:
> >
> >      An eight-game, total run scored, series, featuring the
Eastern
> > and Southern League Champions.
> >
> >      The first four games at the home park of the Eastern League
> > Champions, the next four games at the home park of the Southern
> > League Champions.
> >
> > This could possibly work, at least, I think it could.
> >
> > If you like the idea, then send me a note, and we can talk.
> >
> > Hope to see you at the old ball park!
> >
>

I like the idea of a AA World Series, but it couldnt be a true world
series without the 3 leagues participating.  How would you do that?
The only way i could say is have one league bid to host it each year,
and have the host team receive an automatic entry into the series -
then play it as a round robin similar to the College World Series.




--- In AABall@yahoogroups.com, "georgecatzi" <georgecatzi@...> wrote:
>
> Yesterday, I posted here regarding a Double-A World Series, and I
> expected it to be sent by today.
>
> I haven't seen it yet!
>
> I hope my post wasn't too bad for everyone, it was just an idea.
>
> So, since our main interest in AA Baseball here is primarily the
> Eastern and Southern Leagues, how about we just limit the AA World
> Series to those two leagues?
>
> If, in the opinion of some here, the Texas League isn't worth our
> bother, then, maybe, just talking about Eastern and Southern Leagues
> is best.
>
> So, here's the new plan for such a series:
>
>      An eight-game, total run scored, series, featuring the Eastern
> and Southern League Champions.
>
>      The first four games at the home park of the Eastern League
> Champions, the next four games at the home park of the Southern
> League Champions.
>
> This could possibly work, at least, I think it could.
>
> If you like the idea, then send me a note, and we can talk.
>
> Hope to see you at the old ball park!
>

I enjoy the Double-A baseball immensely, and I feel close to the AA
ranks, as I live within reach of the Smokies (Southern League), and I
have a brother who lives within reach of the Baysox (Eastern League),
so I guess I'm fully equipped.

Over the past few years, I've had an idea taking batting practice in
my mind:

               The Double-A World Series

Now I am aware of the legendary Dixie Series that was played for many
years, which featured the champions of both the Texas League and
Southern Association.

But this gig will feature, at least to me, anyway, the champions of
all of AA Baseball - Eastern, Southern, and Texas Leagues.

The series would be round-robin style:

                Game 1:  Eastern champion vs. Southern champion
                Game 2:  Southern champion vs. Texas champion
                Game 3:  Texas champion vs. Eastern champion

The first team to finish 2-0 will be champion.

In the event of two teams finishing atop the three, or all teams
finish 1-1, we then take each team's total number of runs scored,
multiply by 100, then divide by the total number of team's runs
allowed, and using that figure we take the top two with the best
figure, and have a one-game playoff.

The winner is AA Baseball World Champions!

We could even play it at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland,
an appropriate site (capacity 10,000).

I want to hear from you on this idea, as I trust your judgement.

Send me a message, I'll listen.

Thank you very much.

Yesterday, I posted here regarding a Double-A World Series, and I
expected it to be sent by today.

I haven't seen it yet!

I hope my post wasn't too bad for everyone, it was just an idea.

So, since our main interest in AA Baseball here is primarily the
Eastern and Southern Leagues, how about we just limit the AA World
Series to those two leagues?

If, in the opinion of some here, the Texas League isn't worth our
bother, then, maybe, just talking about Eastern and Southern Leagues
is best.

So, here's the new plan for such a series:

      An eight-game, total run scored, series, featuring the Eastern
and Southern League Champions.

      The first four games at the home park of the Eastern League
Champions, the next four games at the home park of the Southern
League Champions.

This could possibly work, at least, I think it could.

If you like the idea, then send me a note, and we can talk.

Hope to see you at the old ball park!

By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

Two days after minor league umpires said they intend to strike,
management's lawyer denied that unfair labor practices have been
committed.

The Association of Minor League Umpires issued a statement Friday
saying its members plan to strike at the start of the season next
month and said unfair labor practice charges had been filed with the
National Labor Relations Board.

"The AMLU has been threatening to strike in support of their contract
demands for weeks," George Yund, the lawyer for the Professional
Baseball Umpire Corporation, said Sunday in an e-mail. "They're
trying to mislead someone by now changing their story to claim that
they want to strike to protest these alleged unfair labor practices.
Ask them if they'll agree not to strike if PBUC corrects the alleged
ULP? In addition, PBUC denies that it committed any unfair labor
practice."

Union head Andy Roberts and lawyer Robert Weaver did not return e-
mails Sunday seeking comment.

The union, which has about 220 members, claims it was told by
management in February that talks had reached impasse and that the
PBUC would implement its last offer when the season started. The
union made a proposal on March 10 that was rejected by management
three days later.

Roberts' statement Friday said management threatened to fire
employees who went on strike and asked several of the unionized umps
to work as replacements during any strike.

Umps say their salaries average $15,000 at Triple-A, $12,000 at
Double-A, $10,000 in full-season A-ball and $5,500 in rookie leagues.
The union said it would not supply replacement umps to the major
leagues during a strike.

Posted March 26 2006, 7:07 PM EST

Homer Simpson would love the newest taste sensation in minor league
baseball: the doughnut burger.

Head to a Gateway Grizzlies game and this gut-buster could be yours.

We kid you not. The Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League promised
to create "Baseball's Best Burger" in time for the team's opener in
late May. And they appear to have succeeded.

The ballpark sandwich will include a hamburger topped with sharp
cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon -- all between a "bun" made of
a sliced Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut.

If you can find a (loop)hole in your cardiologist's advice, calorie
counters predict the monster will set you back about 1,000 calories
and 45 grams of fat.

"We have had the opportunity to bring in a new concession item for the
past two seasons and each of them have been very successful," said
Grizzlies general manager Tony Funderburg. He told ESPN.com that he
got the idea after reading about Mulligan's in Atlanta, which has a
similar sandwich called the Luther Burger.

Funderberg, who has said he has eaten at least 10 of the Grizzlies'
new creations as part of a "sampling process," said the team hopes to
sell 100 to 200 of them a night at $4.50 each. He calls it a bargain,
considering it is a meal and a dessert in one.

It could be the hottest sandwich to hit the sports world since the
Roethlisburger. That sandwich, invented in 2004 to honor Pittsburgh
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, is available at a place
called Peppi's and includes ground beef, sausage, scrambled eggs,
grilled onions and American cheese.

The Grizzlies are no strangers to self-promotion through caloric
innovation. Two years ago they introduced what they called "Baseball's
Best Hotdog," a dog topped with two strips of bacon, sauteed onions,
sauerkraut and cheddar cheese sauce. They upped the ante last year
with the "Swiss Brat," a bratwurst with a slice of Swiss cheese in the
middle of it, topped with sauerkraut.

Locals who might not be interested in minor league baseball but who
want to experiment with clogged arteries will have to buy a ticket.
Funderberg said the burger will only be sold inside the stadium gates.

The independent team, headquartered near St. Louis in Sauget, Ill., is
in its sixth year of operation.

ESPN.com sports business reporter Darren Rovell contributed to this
report.

By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

Minor league baseball umpires voted Friday to authorize their first
strike since forming a union in 2000 and said Triple-A members would
not serve as fill-in major league umps until there is a contract.

The minor league umps, whose five-year labor deal expired in November,
had previously voted not to work spring training games. The decision
whether to strike will be made by the union's officers.

"Our goal all along has been to get a fair contract without a strike,
and we still hope that we can get it done," said Andy Roberts,
president of the Association of Minor League Umpires. "Our members
have told us loud and clear, however, that they're prepared to strike
if that's what it takes to get a fair contract."

The union represents about 220 umpires in 16 leagues. Management and
the union have not met since Jan. 31, when the Professional Baseball
Umpire Corporation made what the union termed management's final offer.

Triple-A umpires regularly work major league games during the regular
season, filling in for big league umps who are injured or on vacation.

"We have our regular crews. If somebody gets injured and they're
unwilling to work, we'll find somebody willing to work," said Rob
Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of labor
relations.

Pat O'Conner, chief operating officer of minor league baseball's
governing body, the National Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Roberts, an umpire with the Triple-A International League, had said
the average salary for minor league umpires has remained unchanged for
a decade. It is about $15,000 at Triple-A, $12,000 at Double-A,
$10,000 in full-season A-ball and $5,500 in rookie leagues.

Umpires have asked for annual increases in a four-year contract.
O'Conner has refused to comment publicly on negotiations.

March 3, 2006

Tigers, 'Wolves reach deal
By Ron Leonardi
ron.leonardi@....

The Erie SeaWolves have reached agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a
two-year player-development contract extension through the 2008 season.

SeaWolves general manager John Frey said the Tigers first expressed an
interest in continuing their player-development ties with their
Eastern League Double-A affiliate in early August.

"We had another year left on our (current) contract and since the
Tigers were expressing interest in extending it, instead of waiting to
do it next year, it seemed to make sense to get it done now," Frey
said. "We've had a good relationship with the Tigers and, despite what
happened to us this past season, they had success throughout their
minor league system."

Frey said the player-development contract extension "creates some
stability and that's what we need right now."

"It's nice for everybody to know, and we want to tell people that
there is no immediate plan to move this franchise," Frey said. "We're
not leaving town. This contract is not tied to our lease, but when we
get to the lease portion and get that done, we'll have an extension on
that as well."

Lease negotiations are ongoing between Los Angeles-based Mandalay
Baseball Properties, which owns the SeaWolves, and the Erie County
Convention Center Authority.

Mandalay's lease agreement with the Convention Center Authority to
field a Class AA franchise in Erie expired at the end of the 2005
season. Terms of the lease call for an option to renew for three years.

"We believe the SeaWolves will be here for a couple more years and our
goal is to get them to remain here as long as possible," said Casey
Wells, the Convention Center Authority's managing director.
"Discussions are ongoing and I'm optimistic we'll be able to make a
positive announcement with the lease in the next week or so."

Since purchasing the SeaWolves in July 2003, Mandalay officials have
sought increased attendance, facility upgrades and economic
development opportunities around Jerry Uht Park.

Erie County Council is reviewing whether $4 million in proposed
improvements to Jerry Uht Park will be included in a proposed $34
million bond measure.

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

igers extend relationships with Whitecaps, SeaWolves

Associated Press

DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers on Wednesday extended their relationships
with Single-A West Michigan for four seasons and Double-A Erie for two
seasons.

The West Michigan Whitecaps, based near Grand Rapids, have been
affiliated with the Tigers since 1997, and the two teams will have a
working agreement through 2010. The Whitecaps reached the Midwest
League playoffs for the sixth time as a Tigers affiliate this year,
and they won the league title last year and in 1998.

The Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves have been affiliated with the Tigers since
2001, and the two clubs extended their relationship through 2008. The
SeaWolves have advanced to the Eastern League playoffs twice in their
five seasons with the Tigers.

Erie SeaWolves sign player development extension with the Tigers
09/28/05 - Eastern League (EL) Erie SeaWolves

Erie SeaWolves
(Erie, PA) - The Erie SeaWolves announce that the team has reached an
agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a two-year player development
contract extension through with the 2008 season. "We are delighted to
continue our relationship with Detroit as we have been impressed with
their commitment to player development as was shown with their
tremendous success among their affiliates this past season." Said
SeaWolves General Manager John Frey. "With the Lakeland, West Michigan
& Oneonta clubs all making the playoffs this past season the future
looks bright for Erie. We look forward to many years of success with
the Detroit organization." "We are very pleased to be entering into
this extension agreement with the Sea Wolves and look forward to being
in Erie for the next several years and hopefully, beyond that." Said
Dan Lunetta, the Tigers Director of Minor League Operations.

Detroit's other affiliations are: The Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple-A
International League, the Lakeland Tigers of the Advanced-A Florida
State League, the West Michigan White Caps of the low Class-A Midwest
League, the Oneonta Tigers of the Short Season-A New York -Penn
League, and the GCL Tigers of the rookie level Gulf Coast League.

eros release schedule for 2006
09/27/05 - Eastern League (EL) Akron Aeros

Akron Aeros
Akron, OH - Today, the Eastern League Champion Akron Aeros released
their 2006 game schedule. The Aeros open the season on the road,
Thursday, April 6 at the Binghamton Mets (New York Mets). Akron opens
their home schedule on Thursday, April 13 at 7:05 p.m. versus the
Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals).

Home game times for the 2006 campaign remain the same as in past
years, with all games Monday through Saturday starting at 7:05 p.m.
and all Sunday games commencing at 2:05 p.m., with some exceptions.
Exceptions are: Saturday, April 15 (2:05 p.m.), Saturday, April 29
(2:05 p.m.), Wednesday, May 3 (11:05 a.m.), Thursday, May 4 (10:35
a.m.), Tuesday, May 16 (11:05 a.m.), Wednesday, May 17 (10:35 a.m.),
Monday, May 29 (2:05 p.m. and Thursday, June 22 (12:05 p.m.).

The Eastern League continues with its "unbalanced" schedule for 2006,
which is intended to cut down on the amount of travel for each team
and help maintain rivalries. Akron plays the Altoona Curve 23 times
and the Erie SeaWolves 22 times, the two closest teams, geographically.

Ticket prices for the 2006 season will not be increased. Tickets
remain $10.00 for an adult reserved ticket and $8.00 for juniors (12 &
under) and seniors (60 & over). For bleacher seating, take $1.00 off
the individual ticket price. Tremendous ticket discounts are available
for groups of 25 or more.

For more information on individual, group, season tickets or one of
our many mini-pack plans, please contact the Aeros ticketing
department at (330) 253-5151.

Losing streak surprise of season

Slump taught a lot to league-champion Aeros

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

The 12-game losing streak.

It is the common thread most baseball folks point to as the real
surprise of the Aeros' 2005 season that culminated in their second
Eastern League championship in three years. How does a team lose 12 in
a row and still finish with the league's best record of 84-58, let
alone with another championship?

``We learned so much about ourselves during that losing streak,'' said
Aeros manager Torey Lovullo, a likely candidate to be promoted to
Triple-A Buffalo next season. ``It united us. It made us a better team.''

The bulk of this year's Aeros team were members of Lovullo's Class A
Kinston team that he led to the Carolina League title in 2004. And
while young, they came into the season at the Double-A level naive
enough to expect a repeat success.

``It may sound weird, but just as the playoffs started, we began to
get that feeling again,'' Aeros third baseman Pat Osborn said. ``It
was like we knew we were going to do it again. I don't think it came
as much of a surprise to any of us that we did.''

Although there was a time when it appeared as if the inexperienced
players were too far in over their heads -- the hitters took nearly
half a season to find their groove, and the pitching staff had to
carry the team through the first half.

It also appeared that way in late June, when the losing streak turned
into a franchise-worst drought, costing the Aeros a firm grip on first
place in the Eastern League Southern Division.

``I remember it like yesterday,'' Aeros catcher Javi Herrera said.
``We talked about it on the bus on the way home from Reading, how we
just needed one little break to bust out of the funk. And how when we
did, we would just go off a big run the rest of the season.''

Newcomer Ryan Mulhern was the one who came up with the big hit that
halted the streak. Just like the team, the rookie first baseman went
on to complete a career year that included hitting 32 homers while
playing on two teams.

``I think we just got off to such a slow start because it was a new
level and many of the guys weren't sure what to expect,'' Aeros
hitting coach Wayne Kirby said. ``We're a team that wins by doing the
little stuff -- hit-and-run, bunting, moving guys into scoring
position. Once we started focusing on doing those things well,
everything just fell into place.''

While the offense had to grow into its role, the team's pitching --
especially the starters -- was strong throughout. Despite having to
add and subtract various arms due to injuries and call-ups, the Aeros
finished the season with a league-best 3.40 ERA.

``If we'd have kept the same rotation from the beginning of the
season, I'd say `No problem, we could easily win the league ERA
title,' '' Herrera said. ``But to lose the guys we did and have so
many new guys come up, it's really a credit to (pitching coach Greg
Hibbard).''

Young outfielder Nate Panther was named MVP of the playoffs after
hitting .387 (12-for-31) with two doubles, two triples, a home run and
five RBI. During the celebration that ensued after the Aeros defeated
Portland in four games last weekend, Panther talked about how the
award really belonged to the entire team.

A statement that would have made Lovullo proud.

``I've always told them that a solid team of nine players will always
beat a team of one or two good players,'' Lovullo said. ``A complete
team will win ballgames. A complete team will win championships.''

Aeros 4, Sea Dogs 1

Relaxed Aeros win Eastern League title

Dittler gets the victory as Aeros capture series in four games with
Sea Dogs

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

Anyone who witnessed the Aeros during batting practice Saturday would
be hard-pressed to tell it was hours before the potential
championship-clinching game.

The Aeros players were loose and carefree. Hitting coach Wayne Kirby
was talking his usual smack while throwing to hitters in the cage.
Even pitching coach Greg Hibbard didn't mind being bothered for an
in-depth lesson in Pitching 101.

But at game time, Aeros manager Torey Lovullo told the team it was
time to turn on the switch.

``This team plays better when on edge,'' Lovullo said. ``So that's
what I encouraged them to do, stay on edge.''

And that's exactly how the Aeros played in their 4-1 victory over
Portland, claiming the Eastern League Championship series 3-1 and
winning the title for the second time in three years.

``This is such an awesome feeling,'' yelled Aeros winning pitcher Jake
Dittler, as he bowed his head and held it in his hands searching for
the right words while players jumped in celebration. ``These guys had
talked about what it was like to win a championship all year, and I
wanted it so bad.''

In the 2003 season, an experienced Aeros squad needed just three games
to dispatch the New Haven Ravens in claiming the first title in
franchise history. This time around, Akron did it in four, saving
their best for Saturday night.

The Aeros played aggressive from the start, taking an early lead with
one run in the third and fourth innings. A Ryan Mulhern sacrifice fly
scored Eider Torres to put the Aeros on the board. A walk, error and
another sacrifice fly produced the second run an inning later.

The second score was aided by Akron piling the pressure on the Sea
Dogs defensively.

After Jon Van Every walked with one out, Javier Herrera reached on a
swinging bunt. The runners promptly moved up a base on David Pauley's
throwing error, as Portland's starting pitcher tried to beat Herrera
to the bag with an off-balance throw rather than keep the ball on the
close play.

One batter later, Ivan Ochoa launched a fly ball to shallow left
field. Lovullo decided to send Van Every anyway, forcing Chris Durbin
to make a perfect throw. He didn't, and Van Every slid in safe to pad
Akron's lead to two unanswered runs.

The game's momentum was on the Aeros' side the rest of the evening, as
they increased their lead with two more runs in the fifth against
reliever Randy Beam. The inning featured three hits, including
run-scoring doubles by Ryan Mulhern and Shaun Larkin, and a pair of walks.

Nate Panther, who was 4-for-4 with a triple and run scored, was named
the playoff MVP. In eight games, he batted .380 (12-for-31) with two
doubles, two triples, one home run and five RBI.

While the offense did its part Saturday, so did the Aeros' pitchers
for the second consecutive night. After the Aeros shut out the Sea
Dogs through nine innings the previous night, Dittler continued the
trend as the right-hander scattered five hits over seven innings.
Chris Cooper and closer Edward Mujica took care of the final two
innings; Mujica allowed Portland's lone score, in the ninth, before
notching his fifth playoff save.

``We felt our way around early on, hit our stride midway through the
season, and in the end it all culminated in a championship,'' said
Lovullo, who was then fittingly doused with a bottle of champagne by
Ochoa.

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.

Aeros 4, Sea Dogs 1

Relaxed Aeros win Eastern League title

Dittler gets the victory as Aeros capture series in four games with
Sea Dogs

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

Anyone who witnessed the Aeros during batting practice Saturday would
be hard-pressed to tell it was hours before the potential
championship-clinching game.

The Aeros players were loose and carefree. Hitting coach Wayne Kirby
was talking his usual smack while throwing to hitters in the cage.
Even pitching coach Greg Hibbard didn't mind being bothered for an
in-depth lesson in Pitching 101.

But at game time, Aeros manager Torey Lovullo told the team it was
time to turn on the switch.

``This team plays better when on edge,'' Lovullo said. ``So that's
what I encouraged them to do, stay on edge.''

And that's exactly how the Aeros played in their 4-1 victory over
Portland, claiming the Eastern League Championship series 3-1 and
winning the title for the second time in three years.

``This is such an awesome feeling,'' yelled Aeros winning pitcher Jake
Dittler, as he bowed his head and held it in his hands searching for
the right words while players jumped in celebration. ``These guys had
talked about what it was like to win a championship all year, and I
wanted it so bad.''

In the 2003 season, an experienced Aeros squad needed just three games
to dispatch the New Haven Ravens in claiming the first title in
franchise history. This time around, Akron did it in four, saving
their best for Saturday night.

The Aeros played aggressive from the start, taking an early lead with
one run in the third and fourth innings. A Ryan Mulhern sacrifice fly
scored Eider Torres to put the Aeros on the board. A walk, error and
another sacrifice fly produced the second run an inning later.

The second score was aided by Akron piling the pressure on the Sea
Dogs defensively.

After Jon Van Every walked with one out, Javier Herrera reached on a
swinging bunt. The runners promptly moved up a base on David Pauley's
throwing error, as Portland's starting pitcher tried to beat Herrera
to the bag with an off-balance throw rather than keep the ball on the
close play.

One batter later, Ivan Ochoa launched a fly ball to shallow left
field. Lovullo decided to send Van Every anyway, forcing Chris Durbin
to make a perfect throw. He didn't, and Van Every slid in safe to pad
Akron's lead to two unanswered runs.

The game's momentum was on the Aeros' side the rest of the evening, as
they increased their lead with two more runs in the fifth against
reliever Randy Beam. The inning featured three hits, including
run-scoring doubles by Ryan Mulhern and Shaun Larkin, and a pair of walks.

Nate Panther, who was 4-for-4 with a triple and run scored, was named
the playoff MVP. In eight games, he batted .380 (12-for-31) with two
doubles, two triples, one home run and five RBI.

While the offense did its part Saturday, so did the Aeros' pitchers
for the second consecutive night. After the Aeros shut out the Sea
Dogs through nine innings the previous night, Dittler continued the
trend as the right-hander scattered five hits over seven innings.
Chris Cooper and closer Edward Mujica took care of the final two
innings; Mujica allowed Portland's lone score, in the ninth, before
notching his fifth playoff save.

``We felt our way around early on, hit our stride midway through the
season, and in the end it all culminated in a championship,'' said
Lovullo, who was then fittingly doused with a bottle of champagne by
Ochoa.

AEROS GO FOR 2ND EL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THREE YEARS
GAME 4 @ CANAL PARK
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH  7:05 PM
ALL TICKETS JUST $5!
Half of all proceeds from tickets sold goes to the American Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund


AEROS TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD, ONE WIN FROM TITLE
Slocum, 'pen blank Sea Dogs in Game 3

The ball flopped off Jon Van Every's bat like a chip shot, heading for
the left-field line in a slow, lazy arc. The two-out cue shot stayed
in the air long enough Friday night for the 5,868 fans at Canal Park
to hold their collective breath.
When the seventh-inning dunker finally touched down just inside the
foul line, the crowd erupted, and with good cause. Van Every had just
collected the only extra-base hit in the game, accounting for the runs
that propelled the Akron Aeros to a 2-0 victory over the Portland Sea
Dogs in Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series.

So on a night in which the pitching on both sides was brilliant, it
was Akron that took advantage of one of the few openings. The victory
gives the Aeros the lead in the best-of-five series with the
opportunity to win their second title in three years on Saturday night.

Portland starter Wade Miller, making his second rehab start of the
week, along with Anibal Sanchez (0-1) and Craig Hansen combined to
pitch a two-hitter, matching an all-time franchise playoff low. The
only other time the Sea Dogs allowed two hits in a playoff game was on
Sept. 9, 1997 in the finals at Harrisburg, a game they also ended up
losing (2-1). Harrisburg won the fourth game that year to clinch the
crown.

Akron starter Brian Slocum and relievers Travis Foley (1-0), Chris
Cooper and Edward Mujica (second save) were just as effective,
limiting Portland to five hits. It was the sixth playoff shutout in
franchise history and the first since Game Four of the 2003
semifinals, when the Aeros topped Altoona, 4-0, in the series finale.

"I was just asking for Van Every's hit to get down before it went
foul," Akron manager Torey Lovullo said. "You know, there's the old
adage that baseball is a game of inches, and it certainly was that way
tonight."

After putting only four runners on base through six innings, the Aeros
finally broke through in the seventh. Ryan Mulhern negotiated a
one-out walk, though Sanchez appeared to get out of the inning when
Pat Osborn hit a sharp grounder to shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Mulhern
was running on the pitch, but Ramirez's throw to second baseman Scott
Youngbauer appeared to beat him to the bag. Umpire Jake Uhlenhopp
called Mulhern safe, giving the Aeros a pair of runners.

Shaun Larkin followed with a fielder's choice that put runners on the
corners, setting the stage for the left-handed hitting Van Every. The
blooper landed in the Bermuda Triangle between Ramirez, third baseman
Chad Spann and the outstretched arm of diving left fielder Chris
Durbin. The ball hit just in front of Durbin's glove and rolled into
the corner for a two-run double, Akron's second and final hit.

"I was just trying to make an easy swing on it like I had been doing
all year," Van Every said. "My downfall has been when I try to do too
much. I'm lucky I hit it where no one was playing. I found the hole,
and that might have been the first easy hit I had all year."

Portland manager Todd Claus said he had no problem with Durbin's
positioning or how the play unfolded. He also wouldn't take Uhlenhopp
to task over the call, saying he "didn't think umpires decide baseball
games in the newspapers."

"What can you say?" Claus said. "You have a guy at the plate who has
struck out over 160 times, 163 to be exact, this year. I had all the
confidence in the world with a strikeout pitcher going against him.
Give him credit, he found the hole and Durbin gave it everything he had.

"He's not the greatest runner in the world, but he gave us everything
he had. What more can you ask from a guy who ran all out and dove?"

Portland had a chance to even things in the eighth. But Cooper came on
in relief of Foley and, with runners on the corners, got Youngbauer to
hit into an inning-ending double play. The Sea Dogs went quietly in
the ninth and, despite Claus shaking up the lineup - Jared Sandberg
sat in favor of Matt Van Der Bosch and Ramirez moved back up to fifth
in the order - saw their scoreless streak stretch to 15 innings.

Miller went five innings, looking sharp during his 64-pitch (37
strikes) effort. He allowed only one hit (an Osborn liner to
left-center), struck out six and walked two, both coming in his final
inning. He faced the minimum through four frames, thanks to picking
off Osborn after his second-inning single and catcher Alberto
Concepcion nailing Ivan Ochoa when he tried to steal second after
reaching on Miller's throwing error in the third.

The Red Sox right-hander got Javier Herrera looking with runners on
first and second to end the fifth before giving way to Sanchez.

"I felt all right but not great," said Miller, adding he's ready to
rejoin the Red Sox and does not need another simulated game before
pitching again in the Major Leagues. "My arm was a little tired coming
into this. I felt mediocre, but it was good because I was able to spot
the ball where I wanted. I threw it where I wanted and made them swing
at my pitch. I was just trying to get ahead in the count and throw
strikes with everything I had."

Akron starter Brian Slocum, who battled blister problems for much of
the latter part of the regular season, was no less effective, pitching
into the seventh before turning things over to Foley. Slocum allowed
four hits over 6 1/3 innings, walking four (two of which came in the
seventh) while striking out three. He also picked off a runner (Van
Der Bosch in fifth) and benefited from Herrera nailing David Murphy
trying to steal second in the second.

Slocum left after issuing an intentional walk to Murphy, but Portland
couldn't capitalize. Spann swung at Foley's first offering and
grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Aeros one win from title

Double by Van Every in seventh drives in both runs in victory over Sea
Dogs. Akron takes 2-1 series lead

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

Portland's batters outhit the Aeros'. The stingy Sea Dogs pitchers
held the Aeros' sluggers to just two hits.

The visitors even had a major-leaguer on the mound for five innings
Friday night at Canal Park. But all that meant little in the end.

What mattered most was that Jon Van Every's seventh-inning, two-run
bloop double dropped near the left-field line between three Portland
defenders to score a pair of runs.

The clutch hit ultimately netted the Aeros a 2-0 victory in Game 3 of
the Eastern League Championship series and gave Akron a 2-1 lead in
the best-of-five series.

The shutout was the sixth in the Aeros' playoff history. With a win
tonight, the Aeros would clinch their second league championship in
three years.

``At this point, all of us guys who played in Kinston last year and
won it, are starting to get that feeling again,'' said Pat Osborn,
whose single in the second inning accounted for Akron's only other hit.

Van Every's clutch hit wiped out a solid start by right-hander Wade
Miller, who was making his second rehab appearance for the Sea Dogs.
Over five innings, Miller allowed just one hit and struck out six.

``He wasn't very overpowering, he just didn't make many mistakes,''
Van Every said.

Miller, on loan from the Boston Red Sox, wasn't supposed to make much
of a difference in the pivotal game. At least that's what the folks
from Portland insisted.

But the large contingent of Sea Dogs fans visiting town were thrilled
with Miller's five shutout innings. Aeros starter Brian Slocum shut
out Portland for 6 1/3 innings.

The general feeling by then was that the first team to score would
likely be the winner -- even if it came on a play that included a
little luck.

``I was just asking for it to get down before it went foul,'' Aeros
manager Torey Lovullo said about Van Every's hit. ``There's an old
adage that this is a game of inches, and the game certainly went that
way tonight.''

Ryan Mulhern's walk and a pair of fielder's-choice plays set the stage
for Van Every, who admitted upon contact he thought the ball would go
foul.

``I thought it was out, I really did,'' he said, shrugging his shoulders.

But it stayed fair. Mulhern crossed home first, followed by a fired-up
Shaun Larkin, who clapped his hands loudly and skipped into the
dugout, mobbed by at least a dozen waiting high-fives.

Slocum didn't have anything to show for his sterling effort -- Aeros
reliever Travis Foley earned the win. Foley, Chris Cooper and closer
Ed Mujica kept the Sea Dogs in check for the final 2 2/3 innings, with
Mujica earning his fourth save with a hitless ninth.

Aeros players selected

for Arizona Fall League

After a long season that includes playoffs, the last thing most guys
want to do is play for another couple months. But that's exactly what
seven of the Cleveland Indians farmhands will be doing, including five
from the Aeros.

Akron players selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League
that begins Oct. 4 are third baseman Pat Osborn, outfielder Brad
Snyder, catcher Javier Herrera and pitchers Brian Slocum and Travis Foley.

Indians pitching prospect Adam Miller (first round sandwich pick in
2003, ranked by Baseball America as Cleveland's No. 1 prospect) and
catcher/first baseman Ryan Garko are also slated to go.

``It's kind of tough because I will only get a week and a half off,
but it's certainly an honor to be chosen and I'm excited to be
going,'' said Osborn, the Tribe's second-round pick in the 2002 draft.

Osborn, who played shortstop before being switched to third base as a
sophomore at the University of Florida, is expected to transition back
to shortstop during his time in the AFL.

HONORING BEN -- Former Aeros outfielder Ben Francisco was recently
named the Eastern League Player of the Month for August. Francisco,
who was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Sept. 2, hit .398 (41-for-103)
with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 25 RBI and 18 runs
scored for the Aeros in August. Over that span, the 23-year-old raised
his batting average 43 points.

UP NEXT -- The fourth game of the Eastern League Championship Series
is tonight at Canal Park at 7:05. Aeros right-hander Jake Dittler
(10-9, 3.64 ERA regular season, 0-1, 8.53 ERA postseason) is scheduled
to face Sea Dogs right-hander David Pauley (9-7, 3.81 ERA, 0-1, 1.69 ERA).

Aeros, Foley blank Sea Dogs
Saturday, September 17, 2005
From wire reports

The Akron Aeros shut out the visiting Portland Sea Dogs, 2-0, in Game
3 of the Eastern League Championship Series on Friday night at Canal Park.

The Aeros' victory gives them a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 tonight.

Jon Van Every blooped a two-out, two-run double down the left field
line in the seventh for the game's only runs. The hit came off Anibal
Sanchez, who took the loss for Portland.

Travis Foley earned the win for Akron, working one-plus inning on one
hit and a walk. Foley entered the game with runners on first and
second in the seventh and got Chad Spann to hit into a 4-6-3 double
play. In the eighth, Scott Youngbauer hit into an inning ending double
play against Chris Cooper, who faced just one batter.

Edward Mujica notched his second save of the series by working a 1-2-3
ninth. Mujica has retired all seven batters in the series and the
Akron bullpen is scoreless during the three games.

Craig Hansen pitched a scoreless ninth for Portland, his 11th outing
in Class AA without allowing a run.

Portland hasn't scored in 15 innings during the ELCS.

Aeros report

Catcher's script followed so far

Aeros gain split on road to begin playoff series

PORTLAND, MAINE - By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

Javi Herrera said it a few days ago, at a time when the Aeros catcher
could have easily been wrapped up in the moment.

The Aeros were in the midst of celebrating their Southern Division
Series win over the Altoona Curve last Sunday night when Herrera had
the presence of mind to think ahead to the pending Eastern League
Championship round against the Portland Sea Dogs.

``With a team like that, especially at their place, we have to come
away with a split,'' he said. ``Anything more than that is great. But
we at least have to split.''

That's exactly what the Aeros did in the first two games at Hadlock
Field. After dropping the opener on Tuesday night 6-4, the Aeros came
back to win the second game Wednesday 4-3.

The teams had Thursday off for traveling, with the best-of-five series
resuming at 7:05 tonight at Canal Park.

``The way these two games have gone (constant back-and-forth), that's
just playoff and championship style of baseball,'' Aeros manager Torey
Lovullo said. ``I expect it to continue to be a dogfight the rest of
the way.''

Tonight's Game 3 pits Aeros right-hander Brian Slocum (7-5, 4.40 ERA)
against Sea Dogs' on-loan right-hander Wade Miller. Miller, a Boston
Red Sox starter, will be making his second rehab appearance since
joining Portland while recovering from right shoulder stiffness.

In his first start in the Northern Division Series against Trenton,
Miller lasted just 2 2/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on two
hits and three walks, while striking out three.

Aeros pitching coach Greg Hibbard is expecting a big game from Slocum,
who wasn't as sharp as he hoped in his previous start in the division
series after coming off the disabled list (blister on finger).

``Hopefully, he'll have a better feel for his release point,'' Hibbard
said.

Hibbard has asked his staff to pay close attention to one thing in
particular.

``The home run ball is what we have to eliminate,'' he said.

In seven playoff games, the Aeros have allowed 11 home runs,
accounting for 18 of the 33 runs given up.

During the regular season, Aeros pitchers allowed the fewest home runs
in the league, giving up 94.

Glad to be home

No doubt the Aeros pitchers are glad to be headed home to Canal Park
after tip-toeing through two games at Portland's cozy Hadlock Field:

``It's a tough park when the ball is hit well,'' Aeros ace and Game 1
starter Jeremy Sowers said. ``I definitely had some close calls.''

Sowers took the loss Tuesday after struggling right out of the gate.
He gave up a pair of home runs and three long flyouts to the first
five batters.

Learning curve

Unlike Sowers, the Aeros' Game 2 starter Rafael Perez hung on for the
win Wednesday after a tough start.

``He can quickly lose faith in his fastball if he leaves it up a bit
early in the game,'' Hibbard said. ``And because he sees so much
results with his go-to-pitch (slider), he tends to fall in love with it.''

Perez threw 100 pitches Wednesday, 45 of them sliders.

``Ideally, we'd like to see 35-38 sliders over that span,'' Hibbard said.

Tickets

Tickets for the remaining games have been reduced to $5, with half of
the proceeds going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

AEROS EVEN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AT 1-1
Akron becomes first road team to win in EL playoffs

By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
The sense of deja vu was not lost on Torey Lovullo, yet there was no
sense of panic.
The Akron Aeros manager watched as his team grabbed an early lead in
Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Series only to see it
disappear as quickly as it materialized, a scenario that also played
itself out 24 hours earlier in the series opener. But while the Aeros
were unable to regain the lead once they lost it Game 1, they had no
such problems on Wednesday night.

Akron starter Rafael Perez danced in and out of trouble all evening,
but he and a pair of relievers didn't cough up the lead once it was
handed to them in the fifth inning, hanging on for a 4-3 victory over
the Portland Sea Dogs before 5,307 fans at Hadlock Field.

The victory not only knotted the series at a game apiece, it marked
the first time in 12 Eastern League playoff games this season that the
road team won. The series shifts to Akron for Games 3, 4 and, if
necessary, 5.

"It was very similar to what happened last night," Lovullo said. "But
they (the Sea Dogs) are a team that is well managed and prepared, and
we knew that they weren't going to shut down by any means and we
didn't expect them to. But that's playoff baseball. We have three more
games left in this series and we expect more of the same."

Nathan Panther's solo homer in the fifth, a shot off Charlie Zink's
3-1 offering that sailed deep over the fence before coming to rest on
the high school soccer field beyond the right-field wall, was the
difference.

"I was just trying to get a pitch that I could handle," said Panther,
who collected his first homer of the postseason. "It was a knuckle
ball and I just set out in front of it. But I didn't think that would
be the difference. I thought we would have to score more runs than
that. I really thought it would take more but our 'pen came up big.
But that's what we've been doing all year.

"Now we come back, 1-1. That's huge. This is one that we needed to
win, and we played good baseball and got the job done."

Chris Cooper pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings before Edward Mujica came
on to record the final four outs for his third playoff save (13th
overall). Mujica has not allowed a run in 11 consecutive appearances,
a stretch of 11 2/3 innings.

Zink (0-1) allowed all four Akron runs on seven hits over five
innings. Though the Sea Dogs bullpen again was strong, holding the
Aeros scoreless, the offense couldn't mount much against Perez (1-1),
despite having runners on base in every inning against the young
right-hander.

The knuckle-balling Zink saw his scoreless streak snapped at 24 1/3
innings in the first. While Zink took a no-hitter into the sixth on
Saturday against Trenton, there was no such suspense Wednesday as
Eider Torres led off with a double and scored two batters later on
Brad Snyder's two-base hit. Pat Osborn's single brought home Snyder to
give the Aeros a two-run, first-inning bulge for the second
consecutive evening.

And for the second consecutive evening, the Sea Dogs answered in the
bottom half. Chris Durbin led off with a single, moved up on a wild
pitch, went to third on Scott Youngbauer's single and scored on a
passed ball. Portland tied it up an inning later. After Hanley Ramirez
singled and stole second, Jared Sandberg singled to put runners on the
corners. Alberto Concepcion followed with an RBI base hit.

The teams traded runs in the third -- an RBI double by Akron's Ryan
Mulhern and a run-scoring grounder by Chad Spann -- setting the stage
for Panther's game-winning shot.

"I was confident the whole game," said Perez, who struck out seven and
scattered nine hits. "I was confident in all my pitches from the
beginning until I walked off the mound. I know how big this game was.

"That they kept coming back affected me a little bit, but that's
natural. We put up a run and then I give the run back. Either way,
though, I felt confident. It was just a matter of time before we broke
through."

Lovullo said he wasn't worried about Perez's psyche when he was unable
to hold the lead. He said his young hurler was "battle-tested" and
that once he established his fastball and was presented a lead in the
fifth, he got a second wind.

And now, for what it's worth, the Aeros have the momentum. But as the
teams have demonstrated through two games, momentum is fleeting.

Panther's homer gets Aeros even

Win over Sea Dogs brings homefield advantage

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

PORTLAND, MAINE - The Aeros were up against a pair of trends in Game 2
of the Eastern League Championship Series Wednesday night. Yet they
emerged as against-the-odds winners on both accounts with a 4-3
victory over the Portland Sea Dogs.

Perhaps the toughest trend to ignore in the back-and-forth game at
Hadlock Field was that in the previous 11 Eastern League playoff
games, the home team had won every one.

The other hurdle in the Aeros' way was the Sea Dogs' playoff-leading
pitching staff (2.30 ERA) against the Aeros postseason-best .307 team
batting average.

Thanks to Nate Panther's two-out home run in the fifth inning
Wednesday, the Aeros tied the best-of-five series at 1-1.

``To come home 1-1 is huge,'' said Panther, who launched a Charlie
Zink knuckleball far over the right-field wall for the ultimate
game-winner. ``The worst thing we could have done is come back down
two games with three to go. It would have been a real tough climb.''

But with the Aeros' coaching staff simulating Zink in pre-game batting
practice, the Aeros were primed to jump out to a quick lead.

``I threw to Nate's group today and they did pretty well, no?'' Aeros
manager Torey Lovullo said.

Like they did in the series opener on Monday, the Aeros scored a pair
of first-inning runs, this time snapping Zink's streak of 24 1/3
scoreless innings.

Although the streak started when Zink began experimenting with a new
grip, he proved vulnerable early Wednesday when his knuckleball
fluttered a little high in the strike zone.

Eider Torres hit a leadoff double, Brad Snyder doubled him home and a
bloop single by Pat Osborn scored Snyder and the Aeros led 2-0.

The Sea Dogs made it 2-1 in their half of the first.

Chris Durbin singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Scott
Youngbauer's single advanced him to third and a passed ball off the
glove of Aeros catcher Javi Herrera allowed Durbin to score.

Portland tied the score in the third inning with the aid of three
singles, but also left the bases loaded when Aeros starter Rafael
Perez struck out David Murphy to escape the threat.

The Aeros took the lead with a run in third on an RBI-double by Ryan
Mulhern, but the Sea Dogs came right back to tie the score again.

``Naturally, it affected me a little bit that they kept coming back
like that,'' Perez said with the help of Herrera as an interpreter.
``Every time we put up a run, ideally you don't want to let them right
back in it.''

After Panther's home run in the fifth, Perez blanked the Sea Dogs in
the fifth and the sixth and the bullpen took over from there.

``It was very similar to (Tuesday's) game,'' Lovullo said. ``They're
not going to be shut down.''

Chris Cooper and Ed Mujica combined to handle the final nine outs to
preserve Perez's win.

Mujica got the final four outs for the save.

``It was crucial for Cooper to come out and do what he did,'' Aeros
pitching coach Greg Hibbard said. ``And Mujica was once again able to
come in a batter early in the eighth to give us an added lift.''
Messages for Stephanie Storm can be left at 330-996-3814 or
sstorm@...

Red Sox pitcher Miller

PORTLAND, MAINE - to face Aeros in Game 3

Just before the Eastern League Championship series started Tuesday,
the Portland Sea Dogs announced a change in their pitching rotation.

Instead of right-hander Anibal Sanchez (3-5, 3.45 ERA), Boston Red Sox
right-hander Wade Miller will face Aeros right-hander Brian Slocum in
Game 3 on Friday.

Miller will be making his second appearance with the Sea Dogs on a
rehab assignment for right shoulder stiffness. Sanchez, ranked by
Baseball America as the Red Sox's fifth-best prospect, has been moved
to the bullpen and will likely take over for Miller.

If the series goes to a deciding fifth game, ace Jeremy Sowers said he
will be ready to pitch.

``Because there's a day off (Thursday), that'll be my fifth day
anyway,'' Sowers said. ``So, I'm preparing as if I'm pitching.''

Currently, the Aeros have rookie right-hander Tom Mastny scheduled for
Game 5.

IN SUPPORT -- Watching the past two games at Hadlock Field in support
of the Aeros were Indians director of player development John Farrell
and Aeros CEO and president Greg Agganis. Farrell was obviously in
town on business. Agganis, who lives just an hour-and-a-half away in
Boston, came as a fan. He even wore his 2003 Aeros championship ring
for good luck.

``It's the first time I've worn it, so we'll see how it does,''
Agganis said.

UP NEXT -- After two games in Portland, the ELCS shifts to Akron for
the remainder of the best-of-five series, beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Friday at Canal Park.

Aeros fall in series opener
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
From staff and wire reports

Jon Lester allowed one earned run in six innings, and Chris Durbin had
three hits, including a homer, as the Portland Sea Dogs downed the
Akron Aeros, 6-4, in Game 1 of the Class AA Eastern League
Championship Series on Tuesday in Portland, Maine.

Akron designated hitter Ryan Mulhern hit a two-run homer on the first
inning, but pesky Portland pecked away at the lead.

Aeros starter Jeremy Sowers gave up six runs -- four earned -- on nine
hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

Lester also allowed two unearned runs and four hits. He struck out six
and walked three. Jimmy Mann got four outs for the save.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is today in Portland. The Aeros play
host for Game 3 on Friday at Canal Park.

Sea Dogs take opener from Aeros

Sowers knocked around in ELCS Game 1 loss

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

PORTLAND, MAINE - Unlike many young pitchers, Jeremy Sowers isn't
afraid to pitch in the strike zone and go after hitters.

That attack mentality serves the Aeros left-hander well on most
occasions, but it didn't have the same results as usual in Game 1 of
the Eastern League Championship Series, a 6-4 loss to the Portland Sea
Dogs on Tuesday at Hadlock Field.

Sowers spotted the host Sea Dogs three runs on a triple and pair of
home runs in the first three innings.

Last week, Sowers got away with giving up three runs in the first
inning against the Altoona Curve, and even went on to earn the win in
a playoff series opener. He wasn't so lucky this time.

In a game that featured five errors, the Sea Dogs hit Sowers for six
runs (four earned) on nine hits and a pair of walks.

``I was leaving the ball up and we kind of veered away from our game
plan early,'' Sowers said. ``I like to use my fastball to set up
everything, and we didn't do that. And when I left pitches up, they
took advantage of it more times than not.''

Sowers' opposition on the mound was another lefty, Jon Lester. His
credentials include being named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year.
Lester also had problems early in the game.

After retiring the first two batters he faced, Lester's fielding error
while covering first base allowed Brad Snyder to reach safely. Snyder
advanced to third base on a wild pitch and another error by the Sea Dogs.

Four pitches later, Ryan Mulhern blasted a home run to left field that
bounced off the top of Portland's mini version of Boston's green monster.

The Aeros had a 2-0 lead, but it didn't last long.

Sowers yielded leadoff home runs by Chris Durbin and Brandon Moss in
the first and second innings. In the third inning, Jeremy West's RBI
triple tied the score.

``The first home run was just a bad pitch sequence,'' Aeros pitching
coach Greg Hibbard said. ``(Sowers) never really established his
two-seamer away, and after throwing two sliders, he tried to go in
inside and (Durbin) crushed it.''

Unlike Sowers, who allowed at least one base runner in each of his six
innings, Lester allowed just two base runners after the second inning
to earn the win.

The Sea Dogs took the lead for good in the fifth inning after loading
the bases with none out. Two runners scored before Sowers could induce
Moss to hit into a double play and strike out Chad Spann to end the
threat.

In the sixth, first baseman Shaun Larkin dropped a pop up in the
infield that contributed to an unearned run as the Sea Dogs padded
their lead to three runs.

``We didn't play fundamental baseball,'' manager Torey Lovullo said of
the two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs.

The Aeros scored a run in the eighth inning when Nate Panther led off
with a double and scored on Portland's third error of the game, but
came up short.

earned Game 1 start

PORTLAND, MAINE - Sowers a quick study,

It is Jeremy Sowers' first professional season, but you'd never know
it by the way the left-hander has handled himself.

The Indians' first pick in the 2004 draft (sixth overall) out of
Vanderbilt started his career at Kinston in high Class A, was promoted
to Double-A in June and then became the Aeros' ace.

His combined 149 strikeouts and 2.37 ERA led the Tribe farm system.
His ERA ranked seventh among all minor-league pitchers.

Sowers being the Game 1 starter against the Portland Sea Dogs in the
Eastern League Championship Series on Tuesday should come as no surprise.

The Indians think so much of Sowers' ability, they challenged him with
a spot start at Triple-A Buffalo just before the playoffs began.

``Getting that experience early in my career will only help me,'' said
Sowers, who won that spot start. ``The main difference was the hitters
there are extremely disciplined.''

Sowers noted that while he can usually put away a batter facing an 0-2
count with a fastball in the dirt, that didn't necessarily work at
Buffalo.

``In Triple-A, the hitters are smarter,'' he said. ``They recognize
the pitch right away, track it and lay off. So you have to put your
pitches in closer, more dangerous places.''

UP NEXT -- Portland (Boston Red Sox) hosts the Aeros again at 6
tonight at Hadlock Field for Game 2 of the ELCS. Aeros left-hander
Rafael Perez (4-3, 1.76 ERA) will face Sea Dogs right-handed
knuckleballer Charlie Zink (8-5, 4.87 ERA).

STEPHANIE STORM

EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Akron Aeros vs. Portland Sea Dogs


(Best-of-five)

REGULAR-SEASON SERIES

Akron won six of the eight games played between the two teams, taking
three-of-four games played in Portland in July and doing the same at
home two weeks ago. The Aeros outscored the Sea Dogs, 45-21, in the
series and had a team ERA (2.28) that was nearly half that of
Portland's (4.30).

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

Akron
The Aeros' starters went 5-2 with a 2.11 in 47 innings. Take away
Ronald Bay's effort (he allowed five earned runs in six innings), and
the Akron starters had a 1.32 ERA in the series. Dan Denham, Jake
Dittler, Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers each notched victories with
Denham, Sowers and Brian Slocum not allowing any earned runs in their
starts. The 'pen had a 2.63 ERA in the series. The Aeros were balanced
offensively with four players hitting .314 or better. Eider Torres
(.314, 11 hits, three steals, four RBIs), Pat Osborn (.333, nine hits,
three RBIs), Brad Snyder (.381, two doubles, two triples, a homer and
three RBIs) and Ivan Ochoa (.381, three RBIs) were the leaders.

Portland
The Sea Dogs' starters were 2-6 with a 4.90 ERA in the series but
those numbers are deceptive. Jon Lester started two games, went 1-1
and had a 1.69 ERA while Kason Gabbard won his only start and didn't
allow a run in six innings. Anibal Sanchez lost both his starts and
had a 9.39 ERA while David Pauley lost his only start, allowing five
runs in five innings. The Portland bullpen was much more balanced,
posting a 3.58 ERA. David Murphy had a homer and six RBIs but he only
hit .179. Hanley Ramirez had a homer and four RBIs but he, too, hit
only .179. Scott Youngbauer hit .364 and Alberto Concepcion hit .333
but Portland's on-base percentage in the eight games was .284.

ON THE MOUND

Akron
Jeremy Sowers will get the nod in the opener in what should be a dandy
of a matchup as he faces Portland ace Jon Lester. Sowers allowed three
runs on four hits over six innings to beat Altoona in the semifinal
opener, striking out six and walking three. The former first-round
pick went 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 13 starts for Aeros during the
regular season and was a combined 14-4 with a 2.37 ERA at Kinston,
Akron and Buffalo. He has 155 strikeouts and 42 walks in 170 innings
(playoffs included) and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in
a game since June 22. Rafael Perez will get the start in Game 2
against Anibal Sanchez. Perez started Game 3 of the semis and didn't
pitch poorly, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. But he
took the loss when Altoona's Tom Gorzelanny pitched a complete-game,
four-hit shutout. Perez was 4-3 during the regular season with a 1.76
ERA for Akron. Brian Slocum will start the third game. He pitched well
in the second game of the semis, allowing one run on four hits over 5
2/3 innings but got a no-decision when the bullpen couldn't hold the
lead. The former second-round pick hasn't lost since June 23. Jake
Dittler (10-9, 3.64) and Tom Mastny (1-1, 2.18) are slated for Games 4
and 5 if needed. Dittler took the loss in Game 4 of the semis,
allowing six runs on 12 hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 12 hits allowed
tied a season-high. Mastny got the start in Game 5 of the semis but
wasn't around to figure in the decision, allowing four runs on five
hits in 4 1/3 innings. The Aeros 'pen had a 4.61 ERA but didn't allow
a run over its final 10 innings of work against the Curve.

Portland
Lester, who shared the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Year honors
with since-promoted Joel Zumaya (Erie/Toledo), received a no-decision
in the opener of the semis despite striking out nine and allowing only
four hits over seven innings. He walked one and gave up two runs, both
earned. He had a 14-innings scoreless streak snapped by Trenton in the
second inning. Lester led the league with a franchise-record 2.61 ERA
during the regular season, in strikeouts (163) and was third in
victories (11). Sanchez, yet another in Boston's stable of top
pitching prospects, lasted only three innings during his Game 2 start
in the semis. He struck out four and allowed two runs on three hits.
He was 3-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 11 starts after coming up from Class A
Wilmington but had some soreness in his forearm and elbow during
Portland's last home game of the regular season. Including the
playoffs, he hasn't gone more than four innings in his last four
starts and is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA over that stretch. David Pauley, who
started and lost Game 3 of the semis will start Game 3 again. He
allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings against Trenton. The Sea Dogs
haven't decided on starters for Games 4 and 5 yet. Wade Miller started
for Portland on a rehab assignment in the clincher against Trenton,
while Charlie Zink started Game 4 and received a no-decision. The Dogs
bullpen allowed four earned runs in 19 innings (1.89) but three of
those came during Saturday's Game 4 meltdown by Edgar Martinez and Jim
Mann. First-round pick Craig Hansen saw his first action since Aug. 26
on Sunday, throwing a scoreless inning of relief.

AT THE PLATE

Akron
Pat Osborn and Ivan Ochoa formed a wrecking crew, combining to hit
.500 (17-for-34) with a homer and four RBIs. Akron hit .307, the best
of the four teams in the semifinals and the only one to top .300. Ryan
Mulhern hit .316 with a homer and two RBIs, picking up where he left
off in the regular season. He joined Akron from Kinston in mid-June
and has been nothing short of spectacular since his arrival, hitting
.311 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 67 regular-season games. Eider
Torres hit .368 (7-for-19) with a steal. Jonathan Van Every hit only
.244 during the season, and he didn't hit for average in the opening
round, either, batting .176 (3-for-17). While he tied a franchise
record with 27 homers during the season, that pop wasn't evident
against Altoona. He had no homers, three RBIs and only one extra-base
hit. After setting a franchise mark with a league-leading 151 homers,
Akron blasted four during the first round, two of which were hit by
Shaun Larkin.

Portland
Chad Spann proved to be the hero in the opening round, blasting a pair
of game-winning homers, one of which was a walk-off grand slam. He
only played in nine games during the regular season with Portland
after spending most of the year in Class A Wilmington. But he proved
to be the most consistent player in the series, going 7-for-18 and
picking up hits in every game. The player whom many thought would use
the series as a showcase was Hanley Ramirez. But after we stated that
he had outgrown the Eastern League last week, we're big enough to
admit that we were wrong. He didn't starts showing some life until the
fourth game, when he was dropped to seventh in the batting order for
the first time all season. Maybe he saw that as a wakeup call because
he went 3-for-8 over the final two games with a homer and two RBIs.
Overall, though, he needs to do better than the 5-for-20 he put up in
the opening round as the whispers about his uninspired play grow
louder and louder. Scott Youngbauer hit .438 (7-for-16) with two
homers and three RBIs. Brandon Moss went 7-for-19 with a homer and two
RBIs, including picking up five hits over the final two games.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Portland is making a return to the finals for the first time since
1997, the year it was defeated for the second consecutive time by
Harrisburg for the title. The Aeros will be looking to win their
second title in three years after earning their first crown in 2003.
Torey Lovullo is the sixth Akron manager since 1989 to reach the
playoffs in his first year as the club's manager.

SERIES COULD TURN ON...

Ramirez. He has a world of talent, and it was clear during the semis
that he still hasn't figured out how to use it. If he plays in a
manner in which he is perceived around the game, he'll be lights out
and could dominate. But if he zones out, like he did defensively over
the weekend in Trenton, then he winds up doing more harm than good.
Portland committed four errors in the series, and Ramirez was
responsible for two of them, both coming on short throws.

eros prepare for title round
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Dennis Manoloff
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Akron Aeros, who lost a franchise-record 12 straight during the
regular season, are one series victory away from the Class AA Eastern
League championship.

Akron opens the best-of-five final tonight on the road against the
Portland Sea Dogs, a Boston Red Sox affiliate. First pitch is
scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.

Game 2 will be Wednesday at Portland before the series shifts to Canal
Park for Game 3 Friday and, if necessary, Game 4 Saturday and Game 5
Sunday.
  Game 1 features a terrific pitching matchup. Akron left-hander Jeremy
Sowers, the sixth overall pick in 2004, combined for a 14-4 record and
2.37 ERA at three levels in the regular season and won the opening
game of the Southern Division playoff. Portland left-hander Jon
Lester, a second-round pick in 2002, was named Eastern League pitcher
of the year after going 11-6 with a league-best 2.61 ERA and 163
strikeouts.

Sowers beat Lester, 4-1, July 16 at Hadlock Field.

Akron won the season series, 6-2, including 3-1 at Portland.

The Aeros won the EL title in 2003; the Sea Dogs reached the
championship series on two previous occasions but failed to win.

Akron, the Southern Division regular-season leader at 84-58, advanced
to the final by defeating Altoona in the best-of-five division series,
3-2. Portland, Northern Division champ at 76-66, ousted Trenton, 3-2.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

dmanoloff@..., 216-999-4677