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Do IT this week: Layering
By Jonas Fortune
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 07:54 p.m. EDT, Apr 25, 2009
Saturday couldn't have gone much better for Aeros starting pitcher Chuck Lofgren.
The left-hander did not allow a hit and struck out seven through his six innings as the Aeros beat the Curve 4-3. If it weren't for a high pitch count, Lofgren might still be mowing down hitters.
''He was real good,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. ''That was the best I have seen him throw, this year for sure and, I think, even through last year.''
Although, it might not have looked that good from the start. With two outs in the first inning, Lofgren walked Altoona second baseman Jim Negrych and then hit designated-hitter Jose Tabata with a pitch.
He responded by striking out the next three batters and retired the following 14 batters after that until he departed.
''First inning, I feel, is the most important inning,'' Lofgren said. ''As a starter you just have to go out there and don't worry about who is up at the plate, just execute pitches. If you do that and stick to your game plan, you'll be fine.''
Lofgren lobbied to stay on the field longer, but after six innings his pitch count was at 85. This early in the season, players are kept to a 90-pitch limit.
''You hate to bring a guy out with a no-hitter, but it is part of the minor-league development,'' Sarbaugh said.
Aeros center-fielder Jose Constanza helped Lofgren in the fourth inning by hustling his way to a triple to start the inning. He scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Beau Mills two batters later.
Constanza also had a single and a shallow hit to right center field that he hustled into a double, missing the cycle by a home run.
''He has done a great job in the lead-off spot,'' Sarbaugh said.
The next batter, designated-hitter Carlos Santana, then drilled a 3-1 pitch over the left-field fence for his fifth home run of the season, giving the Aeros a 2-0 lead.
Right-fielder Jerad Head pushed the lead to three by taking the first pitch he saw in the sixth inning over the left-center field fence for his second home run of the season.
As soon as Lofgren exited the game, the Curve were able to pick up their first hits of the game when Negrych and Tabata provided back-to-back singles off reliever Carlton Smith.
A walk to Jason Delaney, a double by Brad Corley and a single by Steve Lerud, quickly tied the game 3-3 and cost Lofgren the victory.
Head, who was 2-for-3 with two RBI, responded in the bottom of the seventh inning with a bloop single to center, scoring Nick Weglarz, who reached on a walk.
Smith, who was charged with a blown save, also gained the win. Vinnie Pestano picked up his seventh save of the season.
Lofgren's effort continued what has been a good start to the season for him. After struggling through last season with a 2-6 record and a 5.99 ERA, Lofgren seems to be returning to the form that saw him become one of the best pitching prospects in the Indians' organization.
This year, Lofgren is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA. He has struck out 12 and walked six in 16 innings.
''He was really pounding the zone with his fastball and he threw some really good changeups today,'' Sarbaugh said. ''You could see his confidence [grow] as he went along.''
Lofgren's fastball, curveball, slider and changeup all ''felt good,'' and he had good command of each, he said.
''I went out there and I felt like I could throw anything in any count today,'' Lofgren said.
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
Saturday couldn't have gone much better for Aeros starting pitcher Chuck Lofgren.
The left-hander did not allow a hit and struck out seven through his six innings as the Aeros beat the Curve 4-3. If it weren't for a high pitch count, Lofgren might still be mowing down hitters.
''He was real good,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. ''That was the best I have seen him throw, this year for sure and, I think, even through last year.''
Although, it might not have looked that good from the start. With two outs in the first inning, Lofgren walked Altoona second baseman Jim Negrych and then hit designated-hitter Jose Tabata with a pitch.
He responded by striking out the next three batters and retired the following 14 batters after that until he departed.
''First inning, I feel, is the most important inning,'' Lofgren said. ''As a starter you just have to go out there and don't worry about who is up at the plate, just execute pitches. If you do that and stick to your game plan, you'll be fine.''
Lofgren lobbied to stay on the field longer, but after six innings his pitch count was at 85. This early in the season, players are kept to a 90-pitch limit.
''You hate to bring a guy out with a no-hitter, but it is part of the minor-league development,'' Sarbaugh said.
Aeros center-fielder Jose Constanza helped Lofgren in the fourth inning by hustling his way to a triple to start the inning. He scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Beau Mills two batters later.
Constanza also had a single and a shallow hit to right center field that he hustled into a double, missing the cycle by a home run.
''He has done a great job in the lead-off spot,'' Sarbaugh said.
The next batter, designated-hitter Carlos Santana, then drilled a 3-1 pitch over the left-field fence for his fifth home run of the season, giving the Aeros a 2-0 lead.
Right-fielder Jerad Head pushed the lead to three by taking the first pitch he saw in the sixth inning over the left-center field fence for his second home run of the season.
As soon as Lofgren exited the game, the Curve were able to pick up their first hits of the game when Negrych and Tabata provided back-to-back singles off reliever Carlton Smith.
A walk to Jason Delaney, a double by Brad Corley and a single by Steve Lerud, quickly tied the game 3-3 and cost Lofgren the victory.
Head, who was 2-for-3 with two RBI, responded in the bottom of the seventh inning with a bloop single to center, scoring Nick Weglarz, who reached on a walk.
Smith, who was charged with a blown save, also gained the win. Vinnie Pestano picked up his seventh save of the season.
Lofgren's effort continued what has been a good start to the season for him. After struggling through last season with a 2-6 record and a 5.99 ERA, Lofgren seems to be returning to the form that saw him become one of the best pitching prospects in the Indians' organization.
This year, Lofgren is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA. He has struck out 12 and walked six in 16 innings.
''He was really pounding the zone with his fastball and he threw some really good changeups today,'' Sarbaugh said. ''You could see his confidence [grow] as he went along.''
Lofgren's fastball, curveball, slider and changeup all ''felt good,'' and he had good command of each, he said.
''I went out there and I felt like I could throw anything in any count today,'' Lofgren said.
Jonas Fortune can be reached at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Posted 02:46 PM, 04/26/2009
It is that time of year again--minor league baseball team in Akron, and there are very few articles about the hometown team--Come on--surely someone at the ABJ could find a spot on the front page to write about this fantastic team.So far they are doing a great job, but like any other human being, they need to know that the home town is behind them and supporting them. This also holds true for the Akron Racers. Enough about Labron and the Cavaliers--we know they have advanced to the finals and all that, but lets face it--it is time to root on the local team. Of course there will be those that disagree, but I am sick and tired of hearing about Labron.
