* Due to how late the Aeros/Trenton game ran Wednesday night, Thursday's newspaper run a story without quotes. Below is my final story on the wild back-and-forth game that left more than the players and coaches needing a day off Thursday before play resumes Friday in Trenton.

Inside-the-park home runs are always a tad bit unconventional.

The visiting Thunder used a 3-1 win Tuesday night at Canal Park to jump out to a 1-0 lead in Game One of the Eastern League Championship Series at Canal Park.

First baseman Stephen Head collected three of the Aeros' four hits on the night, but it wasn't enough. Akron scored its lone run in the third inning on Josh Rodriguez's RBI-double. After that, the Aeros did not notch a hit against Thunder starter Eric Hacker after the fourth inning as he cruised to victory while handing the vistors early series momentum.

For fans following the Aeros tonight as they host Bowie in the Eastern Legaue Southern Division Playoffs - a series Akron leads 2-1 and can clinch with a win to tonight at Canal Park - keep in mind the following:

* The game will start an hour earlier than usual at 6:05 p.m.

If there were any debate as to whether the presence of Travis Hafner was a huge advantage or major distraction for the Aeros in Friday's crucial Game Three of the Southern Division Playoffs, the Indians slugger quickly put the argument to rest.

In his second at-bat following a first-inning walk, the Tribe's designated hitter blasted a grand slam that landed just in front of the scoreboard in right field, sparking the host Aeros to a 6-2 victory over Bowie.

Nolan Reimold went 4-for-5 with three home runs and eight RBI to lead host Bowie to an 11-3 victory over the Aeros Thursday to even the Eastern League best-of-five Southern Division Playoffs at 1-1.

The Aeros were in the game until the eighth inning, slowly chipping away at Bowie's early lead with a pair of RBI-groundouts by Bronson Sardinha and a Matt Whitney solo home run.

Twelve innings.

Five rallies.

The Aeros wrapped up the regular season on a winning note Monday afternoon, defeating host Erie 4-1 on the strength of nine hits. Akron (80-62) now heads into the Eastern League Playoffs with some momentum, having won four of its last six games.

The Southern Division Series begins Wednesday with the first two games at division-winner Bowie (Baltimore Orioles). The Aeros, the Southern Division wild card winner, hosts Games Three and Four (if necessary) Friday and Saturday at Canal Park.