Altoona Curve Game Information: May 11, 2013
Published on May 11, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ABOUT THURSDAY NIGHT..: The Curve offense pounded out nine runs on 15 hits to win a shootout with the Rich- mond Flying Squirrels, 9-8, at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Thursday night. It was a matter of who would score last as the Curve and Squirrels traded runs early on in the game. Richmond went ahead with a two-spot in the top of the eighth only to be countered by the Curve's own two-spot in the bottom of the inning. Jarek Cunningham batted with the bases loaded in the last of the eighth and crushed a ball to left that narrowly missed being a grand slam by inches as it hit off the top of the double-high wall in left field. It ended up as a long single but it scored Alex Dickerson from third to tie the game at eight. Adalberto Santos followed with an RBI fielder's choice aided by a good slide at second base by Cunningham that helped Santos beat out the back end of a double play. That scored Andrew Lambo from third and the Curve had the lead and an eventual win. Jason Townsend (1-1) earned the victory in his first game since being activated off the disabled list. Lambo, Santos and Mel Rojas, Jr. all had three hits in the vic- tory. Curve starter Stolmy Pimentel did not factor into the decision on Thursday, giving up a season-high six runs on six hits in 4.1 innings.
CURVE/SQUIRRELS SERIES: This is the second of three trips that the Flying Squirrels will make to Curve, Pa and, unlike in past seasons, they all will be before the end of May. Last time Richmond was in Curve, Pa., Altoona won its first series of the season with a pair of wins on Wednesday, April 17 after the game on Tuesday night was sus- pended. FOR ALTOONA: Casey Sadler gets the starting nod for the Curve in Game 1 on Saturday and will have a tough act to follow after his last start earlier this week in Harrisburg. Sadler was tremendous on Monday night at Metro Bank Park, dealing a career-high eight innings while allowing one unearned run on two hits. He did not allow a baserun- ner through his first three or a hit through his first four. The Stillwater, Okla. native also drove in two of the three runs for the Curve in a, 3-1, win with a two-run, two-out single in the fifth. He came to the plate after the Senators elected to intentionally walk Mel Rojas, Jr. to face him. For more on Sadler, see page two.
In Game 2, California native David Bromberg will make the start for the Curve. He's been the tough-luck loser in each of his last two starts, giving up three and two runs, respectively. It's been a problem of run support for Brom- berg, who has received just one run in the three games that he has started in 2013. His first start of the year came versus Richmond on April 15 and he allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. His three bullpen appear- ances came as a result of the trio of rehab starts from Charlie Morton and Francisco Liriano. For more on Bromberg, see page three.
FOR RICHMOND: RHP Craig Westcott makes his first start versus the Curve this season and his seventh start of the year overall. The road has been a tough place for Westcott this season as the Louisiana native has permitted 10 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits in seven innings of work for an ERA of 11.57 in two starts away from The Diamond. Home has been a completely different story, where he's 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA in four starts. In his most recent start, which came at home, Westcott gave up three runs on five hits to the Trenton Thunder in a losing effort. He's pitched against the Curve before with two starts here at Peoples Natural Gas Field in 2010 (0-1) and two in 2012 (1-0). He's allowed three or more runs in all but one of his starts vs. the Curve in Altoona.
In Game 2, RHP Taylor Rogers toes the slab for the Squirrels in his fifth appearance (fourth start) of the season. It will be the third time that Rogers has faced the Curve and all have come as a starter. In his most recent outing, which was out of the bullpen, Rogers walked four and gave up two runs on five hits in 3.1 innings. In his two starts versus the Curve this season, Rogers is a combined 0-1 and has permitted five runs (two earned) on five hits in 8.1 IP. Last season for High-A San Jose, Rogers was 12-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 28 games (27 starts).
WALK THIS WAY: Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker is expected to continue his Major League rehab assignment with the Curve throughout the remainder of the weekend. Walker, who was 1-for-4 with a double on Thursday night, is expected to play the full seven innings of Game 1 tonight while possibly taking a pair of at bats in Game 2. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native is also scheduled to play a full nine innings for the Curve on Sunday in the 1 p.m. finale with the Squirrels.
HITTING THEIR STRIDE?: The Curve offense has a combined 27 hits over their two most recent wins over Harrisburg and Richmond. That hit total is more than the first five games of the road trip combined when the team had 25 hits.
HE EATS HIS WHEATIES: OF/1B Andrew Lambo had a three-hit day on Thursday night while driving in another run to extend his team lead (he's now at 24 total). He's homered in four of his last six games and has driven in at least one run in five of his last six con- tests. The Newbury Park, Calif. native has reached base safely in all but three of his 33 games this season and leads the team in home runs, RBI, hits and is second on the team in walks.
OH BOY ADALBERTO: Third baseman Adalberto Santos had three hits in the Curve win on Thursday night to run his consecutive games on-base streak to 19 games, which is two shy of Andrew Lambo's 21-game streak that currently leads the team. Both players got out of the gate hot with both of the streaks starting at the beginning of the season. The longest active streak in the Eastern League is currently held by Bowie's Xavier Avery, who has reached base in 21 straight dating back to April 13. The longest overall streak this year was accomplished by Trenton's Kyle Roller (25 games).
CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL: The Curve hit their 25th and 26th home runs of the season on Wednesday morning/afternoon to help down the Har- risburg Senators. After being held homer-less for the first time since their last home game on May 2nd, the Curve are now tied for first place in the league in terms of home runs with New Hampshire (26).
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