With a starting rotation that has struggled so far, Akron hitters have had it up to them to keep the Aeros in ballgames. Friday night, it took all the Phillies staff had to just keep them in the park.

Nick Weglarz had a hot night at the plate, going 2 for 6, with six RBI, three of which came on a three run home run to the deepest part of First Energy Stadium, as the Aeros plated three runners, in three straight innings to cruise to a 12-7 win.

Akron continued to hit well early as Beau Mills hit a two-run single, to make it an early 2-0 Akron lead. In the top of the 2nd, Nick Weglarz notched an RBI with a ground out that scored John Drennen to make it 3-0. Paolo Espino responded to a tough outing on Sunday, by retiring the first nine batters he saw, striking out three.

The top of the 4th started well as Tim Fedroff and Josh Rodriguez singled. Weglarz then came up, facing his fellow Canadian-countryman Phillipe Aurmont, and slapped a two-run double to the opposite field to make it a 5-0 game.

After showing some discomfort, Aurmont walked the next two batters he saw, and gave away to Ty Taubenheim, who abruptly walked in Weglarz to make it a 6-0 game after 3 1/2.

The 4th continued to be a mystery for Akron pitching as Tagg Bozied launched a two run shot over the left field wall to cut the Akron lead to 6-2.

In the top of the 5th, the Akron hitters began to put the finishing touches on a victory as Nick Weglarz hit a three-run home run to make it 9-2. Espino finished his day after the 5th, going strong, giving up only two runs on three hits, and striking out four to get his second win of the season.

Akron added icing on the cake in the top of the 6th, as John Drennen hit his second home run of the season, sending a two-run homer over the pool in right field, while Josh Rodriguez sacrificed to center-field to make it a 12-2 lead.

Reading fans were able to cheer a little bit, as Tuffy Goeswisch homered to left field in the 8th to cut the lead to 12-4, while Domonic Brown hit a three run home run in the bottom of the 9th to cut the Akron lead to 5. Brian Grening, who gave up the Brown shot, buckled down and retired the next three batters he saw to finish off a 12-7 win.

Akron finished the day with 13 hits, four of which came from lead off hitter Tim Fedroff, who was 4 for 5 with three singles in a double, and scored three runs. Fedroff boosted his average 25 points in one game, going from .280 to .305 in the win.

It was also encouring for Aeros fans to see Bryan Price back on the mound. While Price gave up a two-run home run, he did strike out the side in the first of his two innings. It was the first time in a game for Price since being placed on the disabled list with an injury after his last outing April 19th against Altoona.

The series resumes Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Lefty Eric Berger (0-1, 18.56 ERA) takes the mound for Akron against southpaw Yohan Flande (1-2, 2.10 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 5:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.