The best team in the Eastern League will send four players to this year’s All-Star Game, as Aeros infielders Wes Hodges and Josh Rodriguez and relief pitchers Randy Newsom and J.D. Martin were all named to the Southern Division All-Star team today. The Southern Division and Northern Division will square off in Manchester, NH July 16th, and manager Mike Sarbaugh and the rest of the Aeros coaching staff will lead the Southern squad as the defending Southern Division champions.

It is the second All-Star selection for Hodges, who made the Carolina League post-season All-Star team in 2007. This year the former Georgia Tech standout has been Akron’s most consistent hitter while establishing himself in the clean-up spot in the order. The Tribe’s second-round pick in 2006, Hodges is hitting .307 with nine home runs, while ranking second in the league with 93 hits and pacing the circuit with 64 RBI. He is on pace for 112 RBI this year, which would shatter the single-season franchise record.

This is the second selection for Rodriguez as well, as he joined Hodges on the Carolina League post-season All-Star team last year. Rodriguez, who hits second in Akron’s lineup, is hitting .269 with four home runs, 37 RBI and 51 runs scored, good for tops on the team and fourth in the Eastern League. Rodriguez was also selected in the second round in 2006, and is tied for second in the league with 53 walks.

Newsom will make his second appearance on the Southern Division team in as many years, though the right-hander did not appear in last season’s game after dense fog in Norwich, CT forced the game to be called in the top of the third inning. Akron’s closer has dominated the Eastern League this year with 24 saves in 26 chances. >From April 8th to June 26th the sidewinder out of Tufts University allowed just two earned runs in 33 appearances (spanning 33 innings), including 15 consecutive scoreless appearances from April 23rd to May 25th. Newsom, who was acquired in the trade that sent Coco Crisp and David Riske to Boston and Andy Marte and Kelly Shoppach to Cleveland, is 5-0 on the season with a 1.75 ERA and has converted his last nine save opportunities.

Martin is making his first All-Star appearance since 2001 when he was selected to the Appalachian League post-season All-Star team. The right-hander has pitched mostly in relief for the Aeros, and in 21 appearances (including three starts) has gone 7-3 with a 3.26 ERA. In his last seven appearances, the Tribe’s sandwich selection (35th overall) in the 2001 draft has not allowed an earned run in 15.1 innings and is 3-0 over that span, allowing just eight hits and four walks.

The Eastern League All-Star Game will take place Wednesday, July 16th in Manchester, New Hampshire at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Aeros are on the road tonight in game three of a four-game set against the Erie SeaWolves at 7:05 p.m. Akron will send Kevin Dixon (5-5, 4.66 ERA) to the hill against Erie left-hander Luke French (5-7, 4.50 ERA). Akron does not return home until July 8th when they begin a three-game series against Bowie. 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.