Westbrook to rehab in front of fireworks

AKRON, OH - Cleveland Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook will make a rehab start for the Aeros against the Erie SeaWolves Friday night at Canal Park. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. as Westbrook continues to rehab a left intercostal strain that forced him to the Major League disabled list April 20th. A post-game fireworks show, courtesy of National City Bank, will cap the festivities.

Westbrook made his first rehab start Sunday for Class A Lake County and pitched well, surrendering one run on three hits and striking out four in 3.2 innings of work before the game was interrupted by rain. The right-hander opened the season strongly with Cleveland, going 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA and turning in a quality start in each of his first four outings. This is his fifth career stint on the DL and his second in as many seasons; he also made a rehab start in Akron last year.

A first-round pick (21st overall) of the Colorado Rockies in 1996, Westbrook is 63-64 in his Major League career with a 4.30 ERA in 199 appearances (159 starts). He went 6-9 with a 4.32 ERA for the Indians last season, despite missing six weeks with a left oblique strain. Regardless, the sinker-baller was fourth in the American League in innings pitched (104.2) in the second half of 2007 and was seventh in second half ERA (3.44) before going 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in three post-season starts. He was acquired by Cleveland in a trade with the New York Yankees in 2000, and won 44 games for the Tribe from 2004-06 while pitching at least 200 innings all three years. Arguably the best season for the native of Athens, GA came in 2004 when he was 14-9 with the third-best ERA in the American League (3.38) and was named to the AL All-Star team. No one in baseball has induced more double plays (109) than Westbrook in the past four years.

The Aeros are home tonight at 7:05 p.m., continuing a four-game series with the Altoona Curve. Left-hander David Huff (3-1, 2.14 ERA) is Akron's scheduled starter, and Aeros hitters will face Altoona's Yoslan Herrera (3-3, 2.57 ERA). Joe Borowski will also be at Canal Park on a rehab assignment, and the Cleveland closer is slated to work the 8th inning this evening. It is also Family Pack Day at Canal Park with four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, and four sodas for just $48. 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.