Curve Win Wildest Game in Franchise History, 18-15
July 18, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa - The longest nine inning game in franchise history which took four hours and 33 minutes would find the Altoona Curve coming back from a six-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning to send 15 men to the plate scoring10 runs in the top of the ninth for an 18-15 victory over the Harrisburg Senators on Saturday night at Metro Bank Park.
Over the course of the game, the Altoona Curve would tie or break the following franchise records:
- Longest game time for nine inning game - Most runs scored in a game - Most runs scored in one inning - Most home runs in one game - Most home runs in one inning
After falling down 4-0 early, the Altoona Curve would battle back to tie the score at four in the in the top of the fifth.
The Harrisburg Senators (45-49) would immediately take back a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning before Miles Durham crushed a three-run homer off of Rafael Martin in the top of the seventh inning to put Altoona in front for the first time in the game, 7-6.
Off of reliever Michael Dubee in the seventh inning the Senators would plate five runs to take a commanding11-7 lead over the Curve.
Altoona tacked on one run in the eighth inning to bring the score to a three-run deficit at 11-8, but Harrisburg would add three more runs in their half of the inning to put the Curve down 14-8 headed into the ninth.
The best comeback effort in franchise history began with a leadoff walk to Jordy Mercer issued by Zach Zinicola. It was immediately followed by a two-run homer by Hector Gimenez make the score 14-10. After Zinicola dealt a free pass to Durham, pinch-hitter Brandon Jones blasted a two-run shot to bring the Curve within two. Zinicola was lifted after he failed to record an out and Harrisburg manager Randy Knorr turned the ball over to lefty Jack Spradlin. Norman hit a ground ball to second base that was mishandled by Michael Martinez and Chase d'Arnaud followed with a single that put runners at first and second. Gorkys Hernandez, who extended his hitting streak to 16 games which is now fourth best in a run to put the Curve within one.
The very next batter, Josh Harrison shot a base hit to right field scoring d'Arnaud to tie the game at 14-14. Matt Hague would step to the and blast a three-run homer that was met with a great deal of controversy. The ball appeared to be foul by many of the fans in the stands who booed boisterously and at length. The call would cause not only Knorr to be quickly ejected, but Harrisburg starting pitcher Aaron Thompson was also thrown out. The three-run shot put Altoona ahead 17-14.
Harrisburg pitchers would not record an out in the ninth until after Altoona sent 10 men to the plate and scored nine runs. Neither Zinicola or Spradlin were able to record an out. Adam Carr came on for the Senators to finally put an end to Altoona's unprecedented barrage of offense.
The scoring in the ninth was capped off by a Durham RBI double.
Harrisburg would mount a comeback in the bottom half of the ninth inning scoring a run off of Derek Hankins, before Jesus Valdez bounced back to the mound to end the game.
The Altoona Curve (57-35) will look to grab their third straight game and the series victory on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Altoona will give the ball to left-hander Justin Wilson (7-4, 2.85) while the Senators will counter with RHP Andrew Kown (3-4, 4.45). Airtime on flagship radio station ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and Altoona Curve Radio Network affiliates begins at 1:30 p.m.
NOTES: The first seven hitters in the Altoona Curve lineup had at least two hits and everyone in the lineup excluding the pitcher had at least one hit...The first seven hitters in the lineup scored at least one run...The homer by Gimenez in the ninth was his 13th which set a new career high for the minor league veteran. His previous high was 12 in 2005 with the Corpus Christi Hooks (AA - Houston).
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