Ryan Edell tossed eight shutout innings and the offense
provided just enough support as the Aeros avoided a sweep with a 2-0 win over Altoona before 3,446 fans at Blair County Ballpark Wednesday. Akron improved to 7-11 and snapped a season-high four-game losing streak, while the Curve fell below .500 at 9-10.

Edell ran into some trouble in the bottom of the second as Jason Delaney and Anthony Webster singled to start the inning, but a pop-up and a nifty 6-4-3 double play ended the threat. The Aeros then got on the board in the top of the fourth, as Josh Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk and Matt Whitney bounced a double down the left field line to put runners at second and third. Wes Hodges then capitalized on the run-scoring opportunity, sending a sacrifice fly to center field for his team-leading 17th RBI of the year and a 1-0 lead.

Veteran catcher Armando Camacaro showed off his wiles in the top of the sixth as Akron got an insurance run. Camacaro drew a two-out walk from Curve reliever Chris Hernandez, and then surprised the Altoona defense with a delayed steal of second. That extra 90 feet loomed large when Jose Constanza rapped a 1-2 offering into left field to plate Camacaro and make it 2-0.

Edell would cruise from there, needing only five pitches to get through the seventh and just 10 more to retire Altoona in order in the eighth. Closer Randy Newsom came on in the ninth and allowed the tying run to reach base, but induced an easy tapper from Webster for the final out.

Edell (1-0) earned his first win of the year in impressive fashion, holding Altoona to a grand total of four singles over eight frames. He did not walk a man and recorded two strikeouts while throwing an efficient 94 pitches. Curve starter Yoslan Herrera (1-2) was almost as good, holding the Aeros to a run on four hits in five innings while taking the loss. Newsom notched his third save in as many chances. Matt Whitney had a nice game offensively going 2-5 with a double, and Constanza reached base three times with two singles and a walk.

The Aeros begin a week-long homestand Thursday at 7:05 p.m. against the first-place Harrisburg Senators. Kevin Dixon (0-2, 4.32 ERA) will go for Akron against Harrisburg's Ismael Ramirez (0-2, 8.79 ERA). Fans are encouraged to arrive early for Aeros Happy Hour as part of the Thirsty Thursday festivities, with all 12-ounce drinks selling for just $1 from the time the gates open until the end of the third inning. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330)253-5151.