Altoona Curve Game Notes
April 24, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
Altoona Curve (3-10) at Akron Aeros (11-2)
Friday, April 24 - 6:05 p.m. (GM #1 of DH)
Canal Park- Akron, OH
Games #14 & 15 Road Games #8 & 9
YESTERDAY: The Curve fell to the red-hot Akron Aeros at Canal Park, 9-4 on Thursday night...Altoona committed a season-high four errors and allowed seven unearned runs. The five run loss was the largest margin of defeat Altoona has suffered to date. Prior to last night's defeat, Altoona had not lost a contest by more than three runs.
TONIGHT'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Altoona Curve will play their first double-header of the 2009 season tonight. Tonight's DH is a makeup of an April 14 rainout against the Aeros.
DOUBLE-DIPS: In 2008, the Altoona Curve played nine double-headers and had a record of 2-2-5 in the twin bills.
TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHERS:
GAME #1
Altoona's Mike Crotta will make his third start of the 2009 season. Crotta, the Pirates' 17th round draft choice in 2006 recorded Altoona's first win of the season on 4/18 as the tall right-hander tossed 6.1 innings and struck out six in the victory versus Erie.
Akron will send right-hander Steven Wright to the hill. Wright is in search of his second win of the year. After winning his first decision of the season, against Bowie, Wright received a no-decision against the Baysox last time out (4/18). Wright was the Indians' second round draft choice out of the University of Hawaii in the 2006 June draft.
GAME #2
Altoona sends righty Yoslan Herrera to the hill for his first start of the season. Herrera was a starter his entire pro career before being converted into a reliever prior to this season. Herrera was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006 after defecting from Cuba...Herrera made five spot starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates over a month in 2008. He has one big league victory (7/24 vs. SDG...6.0 ip, 4k).
At press time, Akron is undecided who they will throw in the second game.
CANAL CURSE: So far this year, Altoona has dropped three straight games at Canal Park, which goes along with the team's historic struggles playing the Aeros on their home turf. The Curve have a not-so flattering all-time mark of 40-63.
TOUGH OUT: The Altoona Curve bats have the early signs of being a tough out for opposing Eastern League hitters. The Curve have only struck out 77 times as a team, which is the fewest in the Eastern League.
BULL OF A PEN: With over the last five games, Altoona's bullpen has been called to duty often. They have come through, tossing 38.1 innings over that span, allowing just six earned runs (1.41 ERA)...RHP Jean Machi has not allowed a run yet this season (6.1 ip)...RHP Lincoln Holdzkom has also not allowed a run in his last four outings (7.0 ip)
PUT ON YOUR GREEN HAT, WE'RE GOING STREAKING: A few Curve hitters have modest hitting streaks going. Jose Tabata (.294, 5x17) has hit in his last four contests, while Jim Negrych has hit in six straight (.455, 10x22)
Eastern League Stories from April 24, 2009
- B-Mets Win Squeaker in 13 Innings, 4-2 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Baysox Rally Late But Fall to Reading - Chesapeake Baysox
- Fisher Cats outlasted by Mets in 13 innings - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Trenton takes second straight over New Britain - Trenton Thunder
- Portland ends a 3-game losing streak â Bubba Bell homers again - Portland Sea Dogs
- Defenders Lose 3-1/ Series tied 1-1 - Connecticut Defenders
- Curve Classic Quarterfinal #2 - Altoona Curve
- Curve Classic Quarterfinal #1 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox Ready To Rock And Race - Chesapeake Baysox
- Altoona Curve Game Notes - Altoona Curve
- Suarez Sent to Triple-A Pawtucket - Portland Sea Dogs
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