EL1 Altoona Curve

Baysox sail by Curve

Published on August 2, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA- A season-high crowd of 8,692 at Blair County Ballpark had plenty to cheer about Saturday evening between the normal slate of fun nightly promotions, an appearance by the hilarious traveling mascot Reggy and the in-game performance debut of the Curve's very own Bob the Baseball Dog. However, the visiting Bowie Baysox did their best to sour the great ballpark atmosphere with a 12-2 drubbing of the Curve.

The Baysox, who handed Altoona its most lopsided loss in franchise history (19-3) in Friday's series opener, continued their assault on Curve pitching by scoring 12 runs on 18 hits in Saturday's victory. Bowie (66-49) has pounded out 31 runs and 37 hits in back-to-back wins over the Curve (51-63), who had won seven of the first nine games in the season series against Baysox entering Friday.

Catcher Matt Wieters, the fifth overall selection by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, stood out above several stellar offensive performances by Baysox hitters in the contest by reaching base six times on three hits and three walks. The switch-hitter also knocked in two runs and scored three times. One night earlier, Wieters was the only Bowie batter without a hit in his club's 16-run trouncing of the Curve.

Lou Montanez, who hit for the cycle and recorded eight RBI's on Friday, went 1-for-5 to extend his team season-high hitting streak to 17 games. Center fielder Sebastien Boucher posted his second consecutive four-hit game (4-for-5), while left fielder Jonathan Tucker and shortstop Blake Davis each contributed three hits to the Bowie cause.

Altoona actually scored the first two runs in the contest, plating single runs in the first two innings against Eastern League wins leader Brad Bergesen. In the first inning, Jim Negrych doubled home Shelby Ford to give the Curve an early 1-0 lead. In the second, James Boone plated the second Altoona tally with an RBI single which scored Jonel Pacheco.

However, Bergesen settled down and cruised to his league-best 14th win and 15th overall. The right-hander, who won his first game of the season with Class-A Frederick in April before being promoted to Bowie, pitched six innings, allowing six hits and no walks and striking out two. Bergesen (14-3), who lost his first two starts against Altoona, is now tied for the overall Minor League Baseball lead with 15 wins.

Curve starter Christian Castorri (0-2) took the loss, allowing six runs and 11 hits over 4 1/3 innings. Relievers Pat Bresnehan and Juan Mateo were each responsible for three runs each. For the second consecutive game, a Curve position player was forced to spell the bullpen as infielder Jason Bowers took the mound to record the final out of Bowie ninth. In Friday's loss, catcher Milver Reyes pitched one inning of relief and allowed four runs.

Altoona will look to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Baysox Sunday evening at Blair County Ballpark. Curve right-hander Dan Reichert (1-1, 2.89) will throw Sunday's first pitch at 6:05 p.m. He will be matched up against Bowie righty David Hernandez (5-4, 2.63), who leads all Eastern League pitchers with 129 strikeouts.

Ballpark gates open at 4:30 p.m. and fans are invited to participate in a special team autograph session from 4:30 to 5. After the autograph session, fans will be invited to participate in a Pre-Game Catch in the outfield. Following the game, S&T Bank will present a spectacular Fireworks show and Kids Run the Bases courtesy of Thomas Chevrolet of Bedford.

Great seats remain for Sunday's 6:05 p.m. game and the remaining 14 Altoona Curve home games and can be purchased by visiting the BCB Ticket Office, by calling (877) 99-CURVE, or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com.




Eastern League Stories from August 2, 2008


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