Blast Off: Garcia Walks Curve off against 'Ducks
Published on April 8, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve utilized four solo home runs to down the Akron RubberDucks 4-3 Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. With the game tied 3-3 in the last of the ninth, Willy Garcia garnered his first hit, a solo blast over the left-center field wall on a 2-2 pitch that gave the Curve their first walk-off home run since Andrew Lambo accomplished this feat on June 4, 2013 against Reading.
Stetson Allie began the scoring in the first inning for the Curve. With the count 2-2, the first baseman collected his first hit of the season, a solo home run over the right-center field wall that gave Altoona a 1-0 lead.
The Curve lead was relinquished by the Ducks in the third. Akron scored two runs that was aided by five stolen base in the inning. The scoring was capped off by the RubberDucks in the inning when Francisco Lindor hit an RBI single, scoring Tyler Holt.
Altoona continued their home run barrage as the game progressed. With one out in the fifth, Jarek Cunningham hit his first home run of the season over the left field wall to tie the game at two. After the RubberDucks scored a run in the seventh to take a 3-2 advantage, the Curve tied the game at three in the seventh when Mel Rojas, Jr. hit a home run over the batter's eye in center field.
Joely Rodriguez received a no-decision in his Double-A debut. The southpaw tossed six innings and allowed two runs on five hits with three walks. Rodriguez ran into trouble in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out but forced Lindor to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the frame. The double play was the third of four the Curve turned on defense. Rodriguez continued a trend of quality starts from Curve starting pitching as each of the three starters have turned in quality outings.
Tyler Sample (1-0) picked up the win after throwing three innings of one-hit ball. The former Royals farmhand allowed one unearned run and struck out three. Tyler Sturdevant (0-1) took the loss for the RubberDucks.
The Curve (2-2) will conclude their seven-day homestand Wednesday evening with a 6:30 p.m. tilt against the RubberDucks (2-3) before hitting the road for seven games. The series finale against the RubberDucks will feature lefty Zack Dodson (0-0, 0.00) on the mound for the Curve and he will be opposed by right hander Gabriel Arias (NR).
Wednesday's finale will be a 4-Pack Wednesday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, and four regular sodas for $35 thanks to WALY 103.9. It's also M&T Bank Customer Appreciation Wednesday at the ballpark meaning fans can show their M&T Bank Card at the box office and get $2 off any ticket to Wednesday night's game.
For tickets and additional information, please visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE, or visit the Curve front office beginning at 9 a.m.
Eastern League Stories from April 8, 2014
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- Squirrels Split a Pair in Bowie - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Trenton Brings the Thunder Early, Portland Falls 10-1 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Curve Walk Off with 4-3 win on Garcia's HR - Akron RubberDucks
- Offense Rips, Bullpen Roars in 7-2 Victory - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Wilson Homers But Bullpen Falters in 6-5 Loss - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Rock Cats Fall to Harrisburg; Lose 6-2 - New Britain Rock Cats
- Hewitt Walk-Off Single In Bottom of 9th Wins It - Reading Fightin Phils
- Blast Off: Garcia Walks Curve off against 'Ducks - Altoona Curve
- Tyler Austin Back in Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Altoona Curve Game Information - Altoona Curve
- Sea Dogs Game Notes April 8 at Trenton (Game 5) - Portland Sea Dogs
- B-Mets Game Notes: Game #5 - B-Mets (2-2) vs. Erie SeaWolves (2-1) - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
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