Martin provides hitless relief in Aeros win; Aubrey streak continues

J.D. Martin kept the visiting Bowie Baysox bats quiet for 3 1/3 innings Saturday afternoon, giving the Aeros batters time to wake up and rally from behind for a 7-3 victory and earn his second win of the young season.

For the second consecutive day, Akron's offense posted a seven-run sixth inning to erase an early deficit and improve to 4-5 on the season. The big inning came against Bowie reliever Daniel Lonsberry, who gave six earned runs on on three hits and two walks in just 2/3 of a inning of work. Before he took the mound, Baysox starter Chris Tillman no-hit the Aeros through the first five innings.

Pitching out of the bullpen to start the season for the first time in his career, the Indians sandwich pick (35th overall) in the 2001 draft, appears to finally have found his niche. Martin has always been a solid strike-thrower, but has been beset by right arm injuries throughout his long minor-league career.

Another player trying to shake the "injury" tag this season is first baseman Michael Aubrey. Aubrey has not only played in every game so far this season, but also owns a hit in each game to raise his hitting streak to nine games and average to .282.