Bixler hits walk-off single, leads Curve to 1-0 win
Published on July 2, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - With chants of "Free the Frank, Free the Frank" echoing throughout the stands of an energized Blair County Ballpark, newly acquired Brian Bixler hit a walk-off, bases loaded single in the bottom of the tenth to lead the Altoona Curve to a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Akron Aeros Sunday night. Brandon Knight earned the win after pitching two shutout innings of relief, striking out four of the seven batters he faced.
Catcher Dave Parrish led off the tenth with an infield single off the leg of Akron reliever Travis Foley. After a Brant Ust bunt single, an intentional walk to Javier Guzman to load the bases, Bixler stepped up and chopped a hard single over the heads of the drawn-in infield. It was Bixler's third RBI since joining the Curve on June 19th.
Although receiving no decisions, both starting pitchers were firing on all cylinders on Sunday. Throughout the game, batters on both sides looked uncomfortable as they struggled consistently. Other than the Curve tenth, neither team was able to send more than four batters to the plate in any inning all night.
Altoona starter Shane Youman continued his dominance from the pitchers mound Sunday night, allowing only three hits in seven innings of work. Youman, who never faced more than four batters in an inning, has only allowed one run in his last two starts and has not lost since May 20.
For Akron, starter Sean Smith fared just as well. Smith lasted seven shutout innings, allowing only five hits while striking out five. The Concord, CA native is still looking for his ninth win after he suffered his first setback of the year on June 22nd.
Akron had their best chance to score in the seventh inning after first baseman Ryan Mulhern led off with a leadoff double. After a sacrifice bunt moved Mulhern over to third, Youman settled down and retired the next two batters to end the threat. Akron stranded five men on base.
Occupying the bottom spot in the order, second baseman Javier Guzman had two of Altoona's eight hits. Guzman doubled to left in his first at-bat, and singled in his second. The switch-hitting, 26-year old is now batting .250 on the year.
Altoona and Akron will wrap up their four-game series tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m. Landon Jacobsen (7-6, 3.44) will take the mound for the Curve against Akron right hander Dan Denham (4-0, 3.09). In celebration of Fourth of July weekend, a fantastic double fireworks show will take place immediately after the game.
Eastern League Stories from July 2, 2006
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