EL1 Altoona Curve

Altoona Roughs up Ruffin in Eighth for Comeback Win

Published on May 14, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve responded to an Erie SeaWolves three-run eighth by plating four runs off reliever Chance Ruffin (1-3) in the bottom half of the eighth to secure a 6-5 comeback win over the 'Wolves on Saturday night at Blair County Ballpark. With the win, the Curve have now won four straight games and are now two games over .500 for the first time in 2011.

Things looked grim for the Curve after Erie scored three times in the top of the eighth off reliever Anthony Claggett to break a 2-2 tie. Down 5-2 entering the last half of the eighth, Altoona responded with authority with one down and one on when Jordy Mercer smashed his seventh home run of the year over the wall in left to pull Altoona within one at, 5-4. Jeremy Farrell followed Mercer's home run with a single through the left side to put the tying run on with just one down.

Tony Sanchez continued the hit parade as he tripled off the wall in the right-field corner to bring Farrell around from first and tie up the game at five. With Sanchez on third, Kris Watts singled into right to bring Sanchez around to put Altoona back in front, 6-5.

Noah Krol allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to reach in the ninth, but retired Shawn Roof on a groundout and struck out Bryan Holaday to end the game. It is the eighth save in 10 opportunities for the Curve closer in 2011.

Altoona led most of the way early on as starter Mike Colla allowed one run over five innings and left with his team in front, 2-1. All runs prior to the seventh were scored in the fourth inning as Altoona plated two in the bottom half of the inning down, 1-0. Sanchez had an RBI double to tie the game at one in that inning and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by Miles Durham to give Altoona its one-run advantage.

In relief of Colla, Brian Leach worked a perfect sixth inning, his first since returning from the disabled list, and in the eighth, Michael Dubee (2-1) came on and ended the inning, and earned himself the win as the Curve took the lead in their next at-bats.

The win raises the Curve record to 10-4 at home this season and will keep them in first place for the second consecutive day for the first time this year.

The Curve will look for a four-game sweep of the SeaWolves and to extend their winning streak to five as the series will end on a Sunday at Blair County Ballpark. On the hill for the Curve at 2 p.m. will be RHP Aaron Pribanic (3-1, 2.91) and he will be opposed by RHP Mark Sorensen (2-2, 4.76).

Before the game, at 9 a.m., registration will take place for a Youth Baseball Clinic which is free to fans 14 and under with the purchase of a ticket to the game. The clinic will be run by the Curve players and coaching staff and it runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Also on Sunday at Blair County Ballpark, the mascot of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pirate Parrot will be on hand to join the Curve mascots in entertaining the fans. Additionally, kids will run the bases after the game.

Game time is set for 2 p.m. with gates to Blair County Ballpark opening at 1 p.m. Great seats for the ballgame are still available by calling the Curve at 877.99.Curve or by visiting the official website of the Curve www.AltoonaCurve.com. Pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 1:30 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from May 14, 2011


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