Aeros club Curve 12-5, capture Southern Division crown

ALTOONA, PA - The road to the Curve's first Eastern League Championship will once again go through Akron, OH. The Aeros assured themselves home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs by capturing their second straight Southern Division crown on Tuesday, beating the Curve, 12-5.

After falling behind 5-0 in Monday's game at Blair County Ballpark, the Aeros turned the tables on the Curve and darted out to its own five-run advantage on Tuesday. Brad Snyder began what was a night to remember for him with a three-run homer in his very first at-bat to put Akron out in front 3-0 after one inning.

Snyder would go on to collect three more hits, including another homer and a double to finish the game 4-for-4 with four runs scored, five RBI and just a triple short of hitting for the cycle.

Trailing by five runs in the bottom of the fourth, Altoona began to chip away with two runs, thanks to a bases-clearing triple by Brandon Chaves that scored Brett Roneberg and Ray Sadler.

However, the Aeros would pull away with five runs in the top of the fifth and chase starter Mike Connolly from the game. Chris Hernandez came on in relief and after issuing an intentional walk to Brian Barton to load the bases, gave up three straight base hits that put the Curve behind by eight runs.

Connolly finished the game with seven runs allowed on eight hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings pitched. It was the third straight loss for Connolly, as the left-hander has dropped five of six decisions since returning to Altoona from Indianapolis (AAA).

Despite only scoring five runs, the Curve bats weren't exactly silenced. Altoona piled up 12 hits, one shy of Akron's total, and had four players with multi-hit efforts. Brian Bixler led the way offensively, finishing the game 4-for-5 with a run scored.

Andrew McCutchen extended his on-base streak to 15 consecutive games with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The 19-year old has now reached base safely in every game he has played in since joining the Curve two weeks ago.

The two runs that scored on McCutchen's home run were the only earned runs given up by Akron starter Sean Smith, who earned his tenth victory of the year with five strong innings. The right-hander surrendered four runs on seven hits and didn't walk a batter while fanning four.

Following the game, Akron's players and coaches celebrated winning the division championship in Curve's media room, one year and one day since beating the Curve to win the 2005 Southern Division title.

The series will continue Wednesday night with Wardell Starling toeing the rubber for Altoona against Jensen Lewis.

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