Akron Series Preview
June 4, 2004 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
Friday night, the Altoona Curve will open a three-game series against the Akron Aeros (AA-Indians) at Canal Park in Akron, OH. The Curve (27-25) was swept in a three-game series at Bowie (AA-Orioles) to open its current six-game road trip and has lost four straight games overall.
RECORDS
***Altoona... 27-25, 3rd in E.L. South, 4 GB Erie & Bowie
***Akron... 25-27, 4th in E.L. South, 6 GB Erie & Bowie
PITCHING MATCHUPS
***Friday (7:05 p.m.)... Curve RHP Landon Jacobsen (1-2, 7.20) vs. Akron RHP Andrew Brown (1-0, 1.86)
Jacobsen has lasted past the fifth inning just once in nine starts
***Saturday (7:05 p.m.)... Curve LHP Mike Connolly (4-4, 5.70) vs. Akron RHP Kyle Evans (1-2, 6.92)
Gave up season-high seven runs (6 ER) in last start Sunday vs. New Britain
***Sunday (2:05 p.m.)... Curve RHP Bryan Bullington (4-2, 4.04) vs. Akron RHP Francisco Cruceta (3-6, 4.80)
Bullington looking to rebound from his worst outing of the season Tuesday @ Bowie (4 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER)
SERIES NOTES/STORYLINES
***Altoona leads the season series 5-1, having swept the Aeros in a three-game series at Blair County Ballpark May 14-16 and taking 2 of 3 at Canal Park two weekends ago. All-time, including last year's E.L. Divisional Playoffs, Akron holds a 61-51 advantage
***A loss in Friday's opener will give the Curve a season-high five-game losing streak. After a 9-8 win over New Britain last Saturday, Altoona was a season-best six games above .500 at 27-21
***Friday and Saturday starters Landon Jacobsen and Mike Connollyâboth returnees from last year's starting rotationâhave combined to post a 6.39 ERA in their 20 appearances
***The Curve's team ERA of 4.60 ranks last in the 12-team Eastern League
***2B Jeff Keppinger has fallen behind Binghamton's David Wright into 3rd in the Eastern League in hitting at .348. Just two weeks ago when the Curve last visited Akron, Keppinger was batting .404 entering the final game of the series.
***OF Nate McLouth carries a team-high nine-game hitting streak into Friday's series opener
***Former major league 3B Kevin Orie has resurfaced in the Indians' organization with Akron. Orie, whose four-year big league career included stops with the Cubs (1997-98, 2002) and Marlins (1998-99), joined the Aeros on Tuesday from extended spring training. Orie is a native of Pittsburgh and attended Upper St. Clair High School.
***Rule 5 pick Jose Bautista was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Thursday, thus eliminating the possibilityâat least for the time beingâthat he will return to the Pirates' organization and perhaps join the Curve. The Orioles selected the third baseman away from the Bucs in the Major League Rule 5 draft last winter, but designated him for assignment last week. He must remain on the D-Rays 25-man roster for the rest of the season or be offered back to Pittsburgh for $25,000
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Curve will return home Monday to open a three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (AA-Expos) at Blair County Ballpark. All three games will begin at 7:05 p.m. Highlighting the promotional calendar for the series will include post-game fireworks following all three games and an exhibition by the Pepsi Edge Stunt team prior to Monday's game (5:45-6:15).
Eastern League Stories from June 4, 2004
- Jacobsen helps Curve pitch their losing streak - Altoona Curve
- Valencia Two-Out HR in 9th Inning Gives Fisher Cats 3-2 Victory - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Four-Run Fourth Inspires Fifth Consecutive Baysox Victory, 4-3 Over Reading - Chesapeake Baysox
- R-Phils return home on Monday - Reading Fightin Phils
- NASCAR coming to Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Akron Series Preview - Altoona Curve
- Reading Phillies to host Renew Your Wedding Vows night - Reading Fightin Phils
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