Aeros rally in ninth to complete sweep of Curve
August 7, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA-- Brad Snyder delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to cap a three-run frame and lift the Akron Aeros to a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Altoona Curve Sunday night at Blair County Ballpark.
Akron (66-47) completed a three-game sweep of the Curve with the win and increased their first-place lead over Altoona to six games in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Despite the loss, Altoona (60-53) maintained their 2 1/2 game lead over Bowie in the race for the second and final playoff spot in the E.L. South.
Altoona carried a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning before the Aeros began their comeback against Curve starter Ben Shaffar (2-2), who was charged with a blown save and his second loss of the season.
Shaffar entered the game with one out in the inning and promptly allowed consecutive singles to Armando Camacaro and Anthony Lunetta. After Eider Torres reached on an error to load the bases, Shaun Larkin singled to center field to score Camacaro from third, but Curve centerfielder Rajai Davis uncorked a perfect throw to home plate to gun down Lunetta and keep the Curve lead in tact at 3-2.
However, one batter later Snyder came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single to give Akron its first lead of the game at 4-3.
The Curve went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth against Akron closer Juan Lara, who earned his fifth save in just nine appearances with the Aeros. Edward Mujica, who pitched the eighth inning for Akron, earn the win to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Curve starter Tom Gorzelanny turned in a solid outing for the Curve, but received a no-decision as a result of the Aeros' comeback in the ninth. The left-hander allowed just one run on four hits in his 5 1/3 innings of work and left the game with a 3-1 lead in the sixth. Relievers Matt Capps and Brady Borner combined to retire nine straight batters from the sixth to ninth innings to maintain the Curve lead.
Altoona grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Howie Clark and Josh Bonifay knocked in runs with ground outs. The Curve scored their third run in the third inning when Craig Stansberry scored on a wild pitch from starter Mariano Gomez to make the score 3-1.
Stansberry went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs to lead the Curve offense, who managed just five hits in the contest.
The Curve will look to end their three-game skid in the opening game of a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox (AA/Baltimore Orioles) Monday night at Blair County Ballpark. Right-hander Jason Roach (1-1, 5.40) will take the mound for the Curve in the series opener against Baysox righty Cory Morris (6-4, 2.64). Game time is set for 7:05 PM.
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