Bowers power Curve to season-high fourth straight win
Published on May 30, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ERIE, Pa.- Jason Bowers homered and knocked in three runs, to highlight a suddenly resurgent Altoona Curve offense in a series-opening, 8-6 victory over the Erie SeaWolves Friday evening at Jerry Uht Park in downtown Erie. With the win, Altoona (20-31) has now won a season-high four consecutive games.
Bowers, who rejoined the Altoona roster on Tuesday after a 23-game stint at Triple-A Indianapolis, started and ended the scoring, belting a second-inning solo home run to tie the score at 1-1 and then produced a pair of big insurance runs with a two-run double to right in the top of the eighth. The third baseman finished the evening 3-for-4 with a homer -- his second in a Curve uniform and third overall -- three RBI and two runs scored.
Shelby Ford, who like Bowers just returned to the Curve's active roster this week, added three hits and an RBI and Melvin Dorta drove in a pair of runs as part of a 13-hit Altoona attack. In the last four games -- Friday at Erie and a three-game sweep of first-place Bowie earlier in the week -- the Curve have tallied 30 runs and 49 hits.
Josh Shortslef (1-0) worked four strong innings in relief to earn the win for Altoona. The left-hander allowed just one unearned run on three hits and struck out three batters. Shortslef relieved starter Kyle Bloom in the fourth inning and carried the Altoona pitching staff through the seventh, leaving with an 8-4 lead.
Bloom allowed three runs over four innings and did not factor in the decision. The left-hander, who was originally slated to start the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader against Erie, was moved up one day to fill the vacant spot in the rotation left by Jimmy Barthmaier, who was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day and made a spot start for the Indians.
Evan Meek allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth and faced the potential tying run in the ninth, but held on to close out the Curve victory.
Luke French (3-5) was tagged for eight runs and 12 hits over 6 2/3 innings to take the loss for the SeaWolves (22-32).
The SeaWolves pounded out 12 hits against Altoona pitching, including three each by Jeff Frazier and Ryan Roberson. Shortstop Danny Worth opened the scoring in the contest with a first-inning solo home run off Bloom.
Altoona will look to build on its season-long winning streak in Saturday's 5:05 p.m. doubleheader at Jerry Uht Park. In game one, the Curve will send Yoslan Herrera (3-5, 3.83) against Erie righty Josh Rainwater (2-2, 6.31). In the nightcap, the Curve will send a yet-undecided pitcher against SeaWolves' right-hander and Clarion County native Matt Righter (1-1, 4.94). The doubleheader will consist of two seven-inning contests.
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