Altoona Prevails Amongst the Raindrops for Walk-Off Win
Published on September 4, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Josh Rodriguez delivered the walk-off single in the last of the 11th inning to drive home Yunesky Sanchez to score the game's only run as Altoona outlasted the elements and the Squirrels, 1-0, on Saturday night at Blair County Ballpark. The win came amidst a two-hour, 56-minute game along with one hour and 52 minutes across two separate rain delays on Saturday night.
The 11th-inning rally began for the Curve when Sanchez doubled into left field with one down to place the winning run in scoring position. Richmond then elected to walk left-handed hitting Andrew Lambo to secure the righty-righty match up of Mitch Lively (0-4) vs. Rodriguez and Rodriguez won the battle with a two-strike single back through the middle that secured the win.
It was an ultimate pitcher's duel on Saturday with no team scoring against the opposing starter. Chuck Lofgren tossed six scoreless innings for Richmond while Kyle McPherson ended his year with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Altoona. Over his last two outings, McPherson ended his 2011 campaign with 10 scoreless innings of three-hit ball.
Saturday night's game incurred its first rain delay of 43 minutes in the middle of the top of the second inning with McPherson on the mound and Richmond at the dish. The second came just before the start of the seventh inning and lasted one hour and nine minutes.
Each team had its opportunities to score early on the game but was stymied by the opposing pitcher. Austin Fleet worked four scoreless innings of relief for the Squirrels while Mike Loree and Anthony Claggett (5-5) combined for six innings of scoreless relief for Altoona.
The shutout win is the 11th of the season for the Curve and their fourth since the beginning of August. Rodriguez wound up being the only Curve batter with a multi-hit game on Saturday. Eastern League Rookie of the Year Starling Marte had his season-best 16-game hitting streak snapped with a 0-for-5 night at the plate. He still leads the race for the Eastern League batting title with a .332 average over Reading's Michael Spidale, who is batting .325 heading into the season's final day.
Altoona's late-innings victory placed Richmond just a half a game in front of Bowie, who won earlier in the day. Richmond would secure a playoff berth with a win or a Baysox loss on Monday afternoon.
The final game of the 2011 season will be played on Monday with a special start time of 12 p.m. The game is also a Mirror Monday, presented by the Altoona Mirror, as fans are encouraged to check the front page of the sports section for a special money-saving coupon to the final game of the season. Gates will swing open at 11 a.m. and kids will be able to run the bases one final time after the game on Monday.
Taking the mound for Altoona in the season finale will be RHP Phil Irwin (8-4, 4.04), who'll look to cap a solid 2011 campaign at home. Richmond has yet to announce a starter for Monday afternoon's game.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. For more information on upcoming events and promotions in Curve, Pa., call 877.99.CURVE, visit www.AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at BCB.
Eastern League Stories from September 4, 2011
- Altoona Prevails Amongst the Raindrops for Walk-Off Win - Altoona Curve
- Altoona Prevails Amongst the Raindrops for Walk-Off Win - Altoona Curve
- Squirrels Shutout of Playoffs, 1-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Late Homer Hands B-Mets Third-Straight Loss, 5-4 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Altoona's Marte Named Rookie of the Year - EL1
- Marte Wins Curve MVP Award, McPherson Named Team's Pitcher of the Year - Altoona Curve
- Altoona's Marte Nabs E.L. Rookie of the Year Honors - Altoona Curve
- Baysox Beat Erie, Keep Playoffs Alive - Chesapeake Baysox
- SeaWolves Squashed by Baysox 10-2 - Erie SeaWolves
- Aeros Rally Late, Down Senators 6-4 - Akron RubberDucks
- Rock Cats Stay in Race by Topping Trenton - New Britain Rock Cats
- Fisher Cats Create Nightmare for the Sea Dogs - Portland Sea Dogs
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Four New Hampshire Pitchers Combine on Two-Hitter - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- R-Phils Can Clinch Playoff Berth Tonight - Reading Fightin Phils
- 1B Chris Davis Joins Baysox - Chesapeake Baysox
- Curve Drop a Heartbreaker in Extras, 6-3 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Eliminated From Postseason Contention Despite Beating Harrisburg - Akron RubberDucks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
