Tonight at Canal Park the Akron Aeros took command of the Eastern League Championship Playoffs with a 7-5 win over the Trenton Thunder.

Akron pitchers combined to strike out 12 Thunder hitters. Aeros starting pitcher Danny Salazar was in total command of the plate as he struck out nine Thunder hitters in his six innings on the mound. Closer Preston Guilmet came in again in the ninth inning to slam the door on Trenton as they went 1-2-3 and he recorded his fourth consecutive save in the post season.

Akron was like a hit factory at the plate tonight and they erupted for five runs in the third inning that was ignited by a rocket that first baseman Jesus Aguiliar hit to the deepest part of the yard here at Canal Park. This wraps up play for this season here in Akron as 2,024 fans watched it.

The Aeros will travel to Trenton, N.J., to play the Thunder on Friday night as RHP Carlos Carrasco makes his second Major League rehab start. He will be followed by LHP T.J. House in either the second or third inning that will be determined on how Carrasco feels after he takes the mound. They will face RHP Mikey Obrien of the Thunder.