Akron Aeros clinch division title

AKRON, OH -- With their 6-3 come-from-behind victory at Altoona last night, the Akron Aeros have clinched their third Eastern League Southern Division Regular Season title in four years. Akron will face either the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles) or the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) in the first round of the E.L. playoffs. Bowie currently holds a 1.0 game lead over Altoona. Those two teams face each other four times to end the 2005 regular season.

By virtue of finishing in first place, the Aeros have secured home-field advantage for the first round of the Eastern League playoffs. The first round playoff scenario will be:

BEST OF FIVE, 2-2-1 FORMAT

Wednesday, September 7 @ 7:05 p.m. Bowie OR Altoona @ Akron Aeros

Thursday, September 8 @ 7:05 p.m. Bowie OR Altoona @ Akron Aeros

Friday, September 9 @ T.B.A. Akron Aeros @ Bowie OR Altoona

Saturday, September 10 @ T.B.A. (If Necessary) Akron Aeros @ Bowie OR Altoona

Sunday, September 11 @ 2:05 p.m. (If Necessary) Bowie OR Altoona @ Akron Aeros

Should the Aeros qualify for the Eastern League Championship round, the games will start on the road, at the site of the Northern Division winner. The Championship round scenario would then be:

BEST OF FIVE, 2-3 FORMAT

Tuesday, September 13 @ T.B.A. Akron Aeros @ Northern Division Winner

Wednesday, September 14 @ T.B.A. Akron Aeros @ Northern Division Winner

Thursday, September 15 @ 7:05 p.m. Northern Division Winner @ Akron Aeros

Friday, September 16 @ 7:05 p.m. (If Necessary) Northern Division Winner @ Akron Aeros

Saturday, September 17 @ 7:05 p.m.(If Necessary) Northern Division Winner @ Akron Aeros

The Aeros have seven games remaining in their regular-season, all of them at home. Akron kicks-off a three game set with the New Britain Rock Cats (Minnesota Twins) on Tuesday, August 30 @ 7:05 p.m. The Portland Sea Dogs, who are currently in first-place in the E.L.'s Northern Division, end the regular season with a four-game series in Akron.