EL1 Altoona Curve

Altoona Lockes Down Rock Cats, 7-2

Published on July 23, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Lefty Jeff Locke (6-8) became the first Curve pitcher to complete eight innings since Justin Wilson did so on August 14, 2010 as the lefty piloted the Curve to a, 7-2, win over the New Britain Rock Cats in the third game of a four-game series on Saturday night. Locke faced the minimum in each of the first six innings and the eight innings pitched is a new career high for the North Conway, N.H. native.

The offense came early and often in the first for Altoona as they sent 10 men to the plate and scored five times off Rock Cats starter Matt Schuld (0-2). The decisive play in the inning came with Kris Watts at the plate and Josh Rodriguez on at first with two down. Watts hit a ball towards second that second baseman Brian Dozier dove for and was able to corral but his throw to shortstop Chris Cates covering at second was high and everyone was safe with two down.

Matt Curry drew a walk to load the bases and Quincy Latimore helped clear half of them as he drove in a pair to place Altoona in front, 2-0. Anthony Norman, who re-joined Altoona on Friday, tripled down the right-field line to bring home Curry and Latimore and all the sudden it was 4-0. Yunesky Sanchez drove in the final run of the inning as he brought Norman in from third and when it was all said and done, Altoona led, 5-0.

The five runs in the first were an abnormality for Altoona as they'd scored just 35 runs total in the first inning in the 98 games prior to Saturday night.

Altoona's lead would be more than enough for Locke who didn't allow his first hit in the ballgame until the fourth when Dozier led off the inning with a single. He worked around the single and eventually got a double play to end the frame. A baserunner reached against him in the fifth but another double play kept the Rock Cats in check. All told, Locke used 81 pitches to complete eight innings while Schuld, the New Britain starter, used 81 pitches in just 2.2 innings.

New Britain didn't score until the eighth with two down when Deibinson Romero doubled and Mark Dolenc homered to break up the shutout. Locke gave up the two runs on just three hits while striking out three in his eight-inning performance. Michael Dubee pitched the ninth and faced the minimum to secure the win.

Rodriguez led the Curve offense with four hits while scoring two runs in the win. Watts, Norman and Yunesky Sanchez all had two hits apiece as well in the victory. Curry and Starling Marte drove in the other two runs in the contest.

The auction of the NASCAR-style jerseys that the Curve wore on Saturday night raised $6,200 to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Looking for its first series win since mid-June, Altoona (42-57) will square off with New Britain (50-48) in the final game of the four-game homestand at 6 p.m. on Sunday night at BCB. Sunday Night Fireworks will engulf the skies of Curve, Pa. thanks to the Conemaugh Health System and Johnstown Tribune-Democrat after the game on Cambria County Night at the ballpark.

Sunday also serves as the sixth FREE Galliker's Curve Kids' Club game of the season with all members of the Kids' Club getting in completely free to Sunday night's game. We'll also throw a birthday party for Steamer, Tenacious, Diesel Dawg and Al Tuna during the game with New Britain. Fans can take to the field before the game from 5 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. to have a catch on the field while kids can run the bases after the game.

Rehabbing Pirates' right hander Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound for Altoona on Sunday night as he continues his road back to Pittsburgh. He'll be opposed by RHP Steve Hirschfeld (6-6, 3.69) for the Rock Cats in the series finale. Gates swing open at 5 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

For tickets and more information about upcoming games and events in Curve, Pa., call 877.99.CURVE, visit www.AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office at Blair County Ballpark.

Check out the Altoona Curve Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 23, 2011


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