Curve force deciding Game 5 with 3-1 win over Aeros
September 9, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA, PA - The Curve's pitching and defense once again took center stage on Saturday night, as the Curve tied their best-of-five series with the Aeros at two games apiece with a 3-1 victory at Blair County Ballpark. The Curve allowed 23 runs in the first 10 innings of the series but have surrendered just three runs in the last 24 innings heading into the deciding Game 5 on Sunday night in Akron at 7:05 PM.
The Curve wasted little time getting the lead in Saturday's game, scoring two runs in their first at-bat. Altoona's offense was aided by Akron's two defensive errors in the frame, including a misplayed ground ball off the bat of Simon Pond that allowed Andrew McCutchen to score from third base.
Brian Bixler started the inning with a one-out double and advanced to third when Akron shortstop Ivan Ochoa let McCutchen's grounder go underneath his glove. Brett Roneberg drove in the first run of the game with a single to right field, his first of two hits on the night.
Roneberg finished 2-for-3 and is the only Curve player with at least one hit in all four playoff games.
Wardell Starling started for the Curve and dominated the Aeros' bats with one run allowed on just three hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
The Aeros scored their only run of the contest in the seventh inning after a leadoff walk by Ryan Goleski and a single by Ryan Mulhern put runners at the corners with nobody out.
Brad Snyder then drove in Goleski with an RBI groundout, and after a walk by Brian Barton, Blaine Neal came on in relief of Starling, who left to a standing ovation. Neal retired the final two batters and went on to earn the save with 2 2/3 shutout innings pitched.
Aeros' starter Jensen Lewis lasted 5 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts to get the loss. The home team is now 4-0 in the series so far.
The two teams will meet in a fifth and deciding game in Akron on Sunday night for the right to advance to the Eastern League Championship Series against the Portland Sea Dogs (AA/Red Sox).
Nerio Rodriguez will start for Altoona against a yet-to-be-named pitcher for the Aeros. Should the Curve win and advance, the first game of the E.L. Championship Series will be on Tuesday at Blair County Ballpark.
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Eastern League Stories from September 9, 2006
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- Curve force deciding Game 5 with 3-1 win over Aeros - Altoona Curve
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