Diaz Extends Streak in Curve's Loss to Thunder
August 14, 2014 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - A sweep of the visiting Trenton Thunder fell a run shy for the Curve on Thursday night as they dropped the final game to the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, 4-3, in front of 5,070. The loss for the Curve is their first at home to the Thunder since the 2012 season. Catcher Elias Diaz was 2-for-3 to run his career-best hit streak to 16 games, which is now tied for the fourth-best streak in team history. Clint Barmes, who began his rehab assignment with the Curve tonight, was 0-for-3 with three fly outs and played his scheduled five innings at short.
Things didn't start well for the Curve on Thursday as the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week Greg Bird hit a two-run homer to the opposite field off Angel Sanchez (0-1) with one away to give the Thunder a, 2-0, lead.
Sanchez eventually settled in and retired 10 in a row before Casey Stevenson doubled off him to start the fifth. While Sanchez went on his run, the Curve offense was able to tie the game off opposing starter Daniel Camarena (1-5). Diaz singled home the Curve's first run in the first and then it was Jarek Cunningham who tied the game in the fourth. Cunningham singled to center to bring in Andy Vasquez to level the game at two.
Trenton, however, answered with two more runs in the fifth. With two down, Ben Gamel hit a ball up in the air to right to score Casey Stevenson that appeared to get lost in the lights as it fell in between Alen Hanson from second and Willy Garcia coming in from right. Tyler Austin delivered another RBI hit and that proved to be the difference maker in the game.
Sanchez left after five innings and finished the day allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
The Curve came close to getting him off the hook in the eighth when they put two on with none out. With Stetson Allie and Diaz on the bases, Willy Garcia struck out and then Vasquez singled to right. Allie took a wide turn at third on the single and was caught from behind by catcher Tyson Blaser for the inning's second out. Drew Maggi followed with a double to bring in Diaz and pull the Curve within one. Cunningham came to the plate with Vasquez at third and Maggi at second but lined out to center to end the inning and threat.
Cunningham, Diaz and Vasquez all had two hits apiece in the loss while the Curve bullpen duo of Matt Benedict and Jeff Inman combined for four scoreless innings to keep the game close. For Diaz, his 16-game hit streak is now tied with Gorkys Hernandez (2010) and Starling Marte's (2011) streaks for the fourth-longest streak in team history. He'll try and chase down 18 games, which is third-best and held by Nate McLouth and Adam Hyzdu.
The Curve (54-71) now travel to Erie to take on the SeaWolves in the first of three games beginning at 7:05 p.m. Friday night at Jerry Uht Park. LHP Tom Harlan (3-2, 3.46) will make the start for the Curve in the lid lifter while LHP Josh Turley (3-2, 3.54) gets the go for the 'Wolves.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The final homestand of the year in Curve, Pa. is August 22-28 with a pair of jersey auctions, an appearance from Craig Adams thanks to Planet Ice & WTAJ-TV, four fireworks shows and our final giveaway of the season. For more information, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from August 14, 2014
- Fisher Cats lose two to Richmond on Thursday night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Squirrels Take Series with Doubleheader Sweep - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Marrero Slams Baysox to Victory - Bowie Baysox
- Rock Cats Battle All Night; Come up Short in 11-6 Loss to Baysox - New Britain Rock Cats
- Thunder Slam Door on Altoona's Sweep Bid, 4-3 - Trenton Thunder
- Diaz Extends Streak in Curve's Loss to Thunder - Altoona Curve
- Bats Subdue SeaWolves in Finale, 9-4 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Gonzalez Strikes out 10 in Return - Reading Fightin Phils
- Bullpen Keeps Senators Close in Loss - Harrisburg Senators
- 'Wolves Drop Series Finale to Mets - Erie SeaWolves
- Erie SeaWolves Announce 2015 Schedule - Erie SeaWolves
- RubberDucks Complete Sweep of Sea Dogs - Akron RubberDucks
- RubberDucks Rally Late, Down 'Dogs 5-4 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Altoona Curve Game Information: August 14, 2014 - Altoona Curve
- B-Mets Game Notes: Game #123 - B-Mets (72-50) vs. Erie SeaWolves (60-63) - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Sea Dogs Game Notes August 14th vs. Akron (Games 124, 125) - Portland Sea Dogs
- Rubberducks Announce Playoff Tickets & Special "Rip It for Your Ticket" Promotion - Akron RubberDucks
- Scary Collision Clouds Contest - Bowie Baysox
- SeaWolves Huff, Puff, Blow B-Mets Down in Twin Bill Sweep - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
