Aeros' Toregas has three-homer night

Wyatt Toregas wasn't feeling 100 percent heading into Wednesday night's game against the Erie SeaWolves. But that didn't stop him from having a career night.

Toregas hit three of the Akron Aeros' seven homers and tied a career high with four RBIs in a 10-6 triumph over Erie at Jerry Uht Park.

The 25-year-old catcher, who did not have a multi-homer game in his four-year career, hit solo shots in the second and seventh innings before cranking a two-run blast in the ninth.

"I just had one of those days where I didn't feel like playing, and it turned out to be the best day I ever had," Toregas said. "Certain times as a catcher you're just tired and you gotta suck it up. Today was one of those days and it turned out to be awesome."

Toregas began the year with Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .219 with two homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games. He was assigned to Akron on June 20 and is batting .308 with 12 RBIs in 11 Eastern League games. In his last three contests, he is 5-for-11 with four homers and eight RBIs.

"I may have been trying a little too hard [in Buffalo], but I also think it was hard to hit with as cold as it was during that part of the year," he said. "I just didn't do very well, but I know the guys here and it makes it a little easier to play when you're more comfortable."

Toregas was a 2007 Eastern League midseason All-Star and hit .250 with six homers and 39 RBIs in 86 games with Akron.

Brandon Pinckney went 4-for-6 with a pair of solo shots and three runs scored, doubling his home run total for the season and raising his average to .297. The 26-year-old shortstop is hitting .343 (13-for-38) with nine runs scored over his last 11 contests.

Ryan Goleski hit a two-run homer, his eighth, Stephen Head added a solo blast, his seventh, and Bronson Sardinha collected three hits for the Aeros (52-35), who have won four straight and six of their last seven games.

"We have a really explosive team and we make it tough on pitchers," said Toregas. "You can't make a mistake to anybody or it snowballs into a big inning or game. And tonight was one of those nights."

Akron's Kevin Dixon (6-5) yielded one run on three hits while striking out six and walking three over 6 2/3 frames to win for the fourth time in his last five starts.

Ryan Roberson went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs and Jeff Kunkel hit a solo shot, his first Double-A roundtripper, and drove in two runs for the SeaWolves (36-49), who lost their third straight.

Erie starter Luke French (5-8) surrendered six runs on 12 hits over 5 2/3 innings. He fanned four and walked two.