Aeros' Camacaro pounces on Sens hurlers

Armando Camacaro of the Akron Aeros celebrated his 29th birthday in career-high style.

His seven RBIs, which included a seventh-inning grand slam that proved to be the difference, led the Aeros to a wild 13-11 win over the Harrisburg Senators in a Sunday matinee at Commerce Bank Park.

Camacaro finished the game 3-for-5 with two home runs, including a seventh-inning grand slam that proved to be the difference in the game. He had a chance to single-handledly match the Senators' game total when he again came up with the bases loaded in the eighth, but flew out to the warning track in center.

"I was thinking I'm going to pick one pitch and hit it deep," Camacaro said. "I was close."

The catcher started off his day with an RBI double in the second as the Aeros responded to the Senators' five-run first inning with four in the second.

Camacaro hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot off Harrisburg starter Josh Hall in the third to highlight another four-run outburst for Akron.

In the seventh, the Aeros loaded the bases on a walk, Ryan Goleski's single and a throwing error by catcher Javier Herrera. Camacaro unloaded on a fastball from reliever Michael Hinckley to clear the bases.

"I was feeling good at the plate," he said. "I've been working a lot on my hitting approach. I just try not to do too much and just look for a good pitch."

Camacaro had never faced Hall or Hinckley in his career.

His previous career high of six RBIs was against the Wilmington Blue Rocks on July 26, 2007, in which he also hit a career-best three home runs.

Camacaro and No. 9 hitter Chris De La Cruz combined to go 5-for-10 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.

Starter Frank Herrmann (1-0) allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk, fanning two in five and 2/3 innings.

Camacaro was signed as a free agent by the Indians out of Venezuela in 1998. He has played seven seasons in the Minors, all in the Indians organization.