Gerber, Krizan Power SeaWolves to Third Straight Win
April 17, 2017 - Eastern League (EL1)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
The SeaWolves opened a three-game series in Altoona on Monday night at People's Natural Gas Field and took down the Curve, 7-1, to win their third straight and move into sole possession of first place in the Western Division.
The 'Wolves jumped ahead in the top of the first inning against Curve starter Yeudy Garcia. With two outs, Logan Watkins singled to left with his first of three nights. Mike Gerber followed and connected on a two-run home run to straight away center, his second of the season, for a 2-0 lead.
Erie added to the lead in the second. Dominic Ficociello led off with a single and moved to second on a Kody Eaves base hit. A.J Simcox lifted a deep fly ball to right that advanced Ficociello to third. He would score on a Jason Krizan sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
Altoona's lone run came in the bottom of the second against Erie starter Anthony Vasquez. Edwin Espinal led off with a single. With one out, Jordan Luplow singled to right. On the play, Jeff McVaney allowed the ball to go under his glove and it resulted in an error, scoring Espinal from first to make it a 3-1 game. Vasquez would retire the next two batters, getting out of the inning with only an unearned run of damage.
The SeaWolves added to the lead in the fourth. Ficociello led off and reached on an error. With two outs, Krizan belted a two-run home run, his fourth, over the wall in right for a 5-1 lead.
Erie completed the scoring for the night in the eighth against Altoona reliever John Kuchno . Eaves reached on a one out fielder's choice and Simcox singled putting two on base for the top of the lineup. Krizan came up with an RBI single, scoring Eaves making it 6-1. It was the fourth RBI of the night for Krizan . With runners on the corners, Kucnho threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt, allowing Simcox to score making it 7-1.
Erie relievers Victor Alcantara and Jeff Ferrell combined to keep Altoona scoreless over the final 3.2 innings of the game, preserving the win.
Vasquez (2-0) earned the win allowing an unearned run on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.
Garcia (0-1) took the loss allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts in four innings of work.
The win put the SeaWolves at a season-high four games above .500. The last time Erie was four games above the .500 mark was during the 2013 season.
Erie will go for its fourth straight series win on Tuesday night against the Curve at 6 p.m. RHP Myles Jaye (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for the SeaWolves against RHP Alex McRae (2-0, 0.82 ERA).
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