Aeros Remain Alive With 8-2 Triumph

A four-run first inning against Trenton ace Alan Horne helped the Akron Aeros to an 8-2 win in Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series on Friday night at Canal Park. The Aeros trail the best-of-five series, 2-1, and must win again at home on Saturday night and Sunday to claim the title -- which would be their third in five years.

Jeremy Sowers pitched six shutout innings, Rodney Choy Foo drove in three runs and Stephen Head had two doubles, scored twice and drove in one run to lead Akron.

Sowers (2-0, 0.68 ERA) gave up four hits and two walks while striking out four in his second impressive outing since being sent to Akron from Triple-A Buffalo.

Choy Foo went 2-for-4 with a two-run single in Akron's four-run first off Horne. He was the right-hander drafted by the Indians in the first round in 2001 -- but spurned Cleveland's contract offer in order to go to college. He then hurt his arm, went back to junior college and evenutally was picked in the 11th round by the New York Yankees in 2005. That summer, he went 10-2 in his first pro season in Class A ball, followed by a 6-9 mark in 2006 before going 12-4 with a 3.11 ERA this season for the Thunder.

Aeros leadoff hitter Trevor Crowe went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and a stolen base -- his seventh of the playoffs.

Jeffrey Stevens pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Sowers. The right-hander gave up one hit and struck out one. Lefty Shawn Nottingham yielded two runs in the ninth inning.

Trenton is in the finals for the first time. The Aeros are making their fourth appearance in five years in the championship series. Akron was Eastern League champion in 2003 and 2005.

EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
GAME 1
Tuesday, September 11
6:05 pm – Waterfront Park, Trenton, N.J.
Trenton Thunder 5, Akron Aeros 3

GAME 2 Wednesday, September 12
6:05 pm – Waterfront Park, Trenton, N.J.
Trenton Thunder 3, Akron Aeros 2

GAME 3
Friday, September 14
7:05 pm – Canal Park, Akron
Akron Aeros 8, Trenton Thunder 2

GAME 4
Saturday, September 15
7:05 pm – Canal Park, Akron
Akron RHP Bobby Brownlie vs. RHP Dan McCutchen

GAME 5 (if necessary)
Sunday, September 16
7:05 pm – Canal Park, Akron
Akron RHP Adam Miller vs. RHP Jeff Marquez