EL1 Altoona Curve

Altoona Wins Third Straight with 7-4 Victory

Published on July 28, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


PORTLAND, Maine - Sea Dogs miscues and a two-run home run late in the game from Matt Curry helped the Altoona Curve seal a, 7-4, win over Portland in the first game of a four-game series at Hadlock Field on Thursday night. In direct contrast to the last time these two teams met, Altoona scored seven runs on Thursday night off 'Dogs pitching after scoring six runs total in the three-game series at BCB in early June. It's the first three-game win streak for Altoona since they won three straight from May 19-21st.

After trading runs early in the game, Altoona broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh thanks to some poor fielding by the Sea Dogs. With one away, Anthony Norman reached on an error by shortstop Heiker Meneses before Starling Marte found his first hit of the game with an infield single. Brock Holt, who was 3-for-3 entering the at bat, reached on a walk to load the bases before Josh Rodriguez came to the plate.

Rodriguez hit a soft grounder to third that Will Middlebrooks tried to start two on but he only got one out and the go-ahead run scored while the inning continued. With Andrew Lambo at the plate, catcher Mark Wagner tried to pick off Rodriguez at first on consecutive plays but the second time he broke for second and when he did, Marte broke for home.

Marte was able to score as first baseman Jon Hee threw the ball away while Rodriguez took third and Altoona was in front by two at, 5-3. Curry followed up a walk to Tony Sanchez in the eighth with a two-run homer to the left of center to extend Altoona's lead to four. Portland added an unearned run off reliever Bryan Morris in the last of the eighth but would score no further.

They threatened in the ninth off reliever Michael Dubee but Mitch Dening flew out to right to end the game and the threat as he represented the tying run with two men on. It was the sixth save of the year for Dubee and it sealed a win in relief for Matt McSwain (2-0), who tossed two perfect innings behind Jeff Locke.

In his return to Hadlock Field, Locke allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings but did not factor in the decision as he left with the game tied at three. Marte and Lambo each finished the game with a pair of hits while Holt was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Curve (45-59) and Sea Dogs (43-61) meet in the second game of the four-game series at 7 p.m. on Friday night from Hadlock Field as Altoona tries to match its season-best winning streak of four games with a victory. RHP Mike Colla (4-7, 3.88) makes the start for Altoona while the Sea Dogs have yet to announce a starter for Friday evening's contest.

Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from July 28, 2011


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