Bonifay enjoys big night in curve win, 9-5
Published on July 1, 2004 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
Altoona, PA- Josh Bonifay went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI Thursday to lead the Altoona Curve to a 9-5 victory over the Harrisburg Senators at Blair County Ballpark.
Altoona (49-31) reached a season-high 18 games over .500 with the win. The Curve lead the Eastern League's Southern Division by five games over second-place Erie which lost at Bowie. Harrisburg fell to a league-worst 27-53--22 games behind the Curve.
Bonifay knocked in Altoona's first four runs in the contest with a three-run homer in the first and an RBI single in the third. The blast was Bonifay's club-leading 14th of the season. The four RBI game ran his season-total to 58--third best in the league.
Ian Snell (6-4) pitched six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits to notch the victory. The right-hander, who was selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star game yesterday, walked two and struck out five.
After Bonifay helped the Curve build a 4-1 lead, the Senators cut the advantage to one on a two-run single by Rich Lane in the fifth inning. Undaunted, Altoona responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning to make it, 9-3.
A two-run double by Ronny Paulino, an RBI double by Ray Sadler, a run-scoring sacrifice by Snell, and an RBI single by Chris Duffy accounted for the runs off reliever Ryan Douglass.
Justin Echols (3-6) started and suffered the loss for Harrisburg. The right-hander gave up four runs on seven hits in four innings of work.
The Curve banged out 12 hits in the series-opening win. Bonifay and Duffy each collected three while Paulino and Nate McLouth chipped in with two apiece. McLouth also scored three runs.
Josh Labandiera, who hit his seventh home run of the season on the first pitch of the game, went 3-for-5 to lead the Senators. He had two doubles to go along with the longball.
Game two of the series is Friday at 7:05 p.m. In a duel of left-handers, the Curve will send Mike Connolly (6-4, 4.56) against David Maust (1-2, 5.60) of the Senators.
The Blair County Ballpark gates will open at 6 p.m. (5:50 for season ticket holders). The game will be followed by a Fireworks show presented by Ball Park Franks.
Eastern League Stories from July 1, 2004
- Baysox beat Wolves - Chesapeake Baysox
- Bonifay enjoys big night in curve win, 9-5 - Altoona Curve
- Independence Day fireworks at the ballpark - Trenton Thunder
- Rock Cats Survive Fisher Cats Comeback Bid for 11-10 Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
