Aeros' Head hits homer hat trick
Head enjoyed his first career three-homer game as the Akron Aeros snapped a four-game losing streak with a 9-6 triumph over the Connecticut Defenders at Dodd Stadium.
The former second-round Draft pick went 17 games without leaving the yard, a drought he ended with a two-run blast in the fourth inning. He added a solo shot in the fifth and another in the seventh to extend the Aeros' lead to 9-2.
"I was fortunate to get three hits tonight, no less three home runs," said Head. "I hit a curveball and two fastballs. I've been hitting balls on the nose lately, they just weren't falling for me."
It was his fifth career multi-homer game and first since June 20, 2006 for Class A Advanced Kinston. He also homered twice and collected a career-high nine RBIs against Frederick on July 26, 2005.
Head is the fifth member of the Aeros to hit three homers in a game and the second this season. Wyatt Toregas performed the feat on July 2 in a 10-6 triumph at Erie.
Click for 2008 three-homer games >
| 2008 Players with 3+ homers in a game | ||||
Player | Team | HR | Date | |
Augusta | 3 | 04/11/08 | ||
Stockton | 3 | 04/19/08 | ||
Toledo | 3 | 04/20/08 | ||
Tacoma | 3 | 04/28/08 | ||
Winston-Salem | 3 | 05/03/08 | ||
Nashville | 3 | 05/16/08 | ||
Las Vegas | 3 | 05/17/08 | ||
Albuquerque | 3 | 05/19/08 | ||
Binghamton | 3 | 05/26/08 | ||
Midland | 3 | 05/26/08 | ||
Pawtucket | 3 | 05/31/08 | ||
GCL Red Sox | 3 | 06/25/08 | ||
Clearwater | 3 | 06/28/08 | ||
Pawtucket | 3 | 06/29/08 | ||
Yakima | 3 | 07/02/08 | ||
Akron | 3 | 07/02/08 | ||
Tucson | 3 | 07/04/08 | ||
Iowa | 3 | 07/09/08 | ||
Rancho Cucamanga | 3 | 07/16/08 | ||
Oklahoma | 3 | 07/19/08 | ||
Lexington | 3 | 07/20/08 | ||
Albuquerque | 3 | 07/27/08 | ||
Oklahoma | 3 | 07/28/08 | ||
Memphis | 3 | 07/29/08 | ||
New Orleans | 3 | 08/02/08 | ||
Erie | 3 | 08/05/08 | ||
Salem-Keizer | 3 | 08/08/08 | ||
Iowa | 4 | 08/09/08 | ||
Palm Beach | 3 | 08/10/08 | ||
Akron | 3 | 08/20/08 | ||
"Our hitting coordinator was in town and I told him this was my best month as far as hitting balls on the nose," he explained. "I've been fortunate that more balls have fallen than not for most of the season. I'm not trying to do anything different. I know what I'm doing is working and it always feels good when you have a night like tonight."
Damaso Espino and Brandon Pinckney each had two hits and an RBI and Nathan Panther singled and scored twice for the Aeros (74-57), who had lost four straight and seven of eight.
Although Akron had scored two runs or fewer in eight straight games, Head was optimistic the Aeros' fortunes are turning.
"We've had double-digit hits numerous times, but we haven't done well offensively the last few weeks," he said. "We just haven't had everyone get hot at the same time, and that's when you get rolling as a team. Our pitching has kept us in games, so hopefully tonight will be the start of how we used to play."
Akron starter J.D. Martin (10-3) scattered four hits over five shutout innings, walking two and striking out three to win his sixth straight decision. Scott Roehl came on in the ninth with one out and walked the first batter he faced to load the bases before retiring the next two for his sixth save.
Defenders starter Ben Snyder (1-6) lost his fifth straight decision after giving up five runs on nine hits while striking out two over five innings.
Carlos Sosa went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Adam Witter had two hits for Connecticut (65-64).
Steve Conley is a contributor to MLB.com.