Colla Pitches Well, But Curve Losing Streak Continues
June 27, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Mike Colla tied a career-high with seven strikeouts as the Curve starting pitcher, but again, the Altoona Curve offense was not enough, as they could only muster one run in a, 3-1, loss to the Reading Phillies on Monday night in game one of a three game series at Blair County Ballpark. With the loss, the Curve's losing streak extends to six games.
The R-Phils got on the board first as Matt Rizzotti shot the ball over the wall in right in the game's second inning to open the scoring and give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Colla was unfazed after allowing the homer and had recorded five strikeouts through three innings before Altoona delivered with some offense in the bottom of the third inning.
Quincy Latimore started the inning off with a single and was worked to second base on a sacrifice bunt, and with two down, Brock Holt singled through the right side, scoring Latimore and tying the game at one.
The tie would be short-lived though, as the Phillies got two runners in scoring position with one down in the fifth, before starting pitcher J.C. Ramirez grounded one in the middle of the infield, scoring a run to take a 2-1 lead.
With a runner on first and two down in the sixth, Colla was searching to tie both his career-high in innings pitched and strikeouts in a single game as he got Tuffy Gosewisch to strike out on a pitch in the dirt, tying his career-high of seven, but on the throw to first to complete the out, the ball was thrown into right field, allowing Steve Susdorf to score from first, giving the R-Phils a 3-1 lead. After a hit by pitch to the next batter, Colla's day ended through 6.2 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits. Anthony Claggett came on and ended the inning on one pitch and stayed in to throw another two more perfect innings.
Ramirez went six innings and picked up the win for Reading, ending a personal five-game losing streak, as he allowed one run on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He was able to avoid trouble in the fifth as Ramirez stranded the bases loaded.
In relief of Ramirez was Joe Savery, listed as an infielder on the Phillies roster, but the former full-time pitcher and first round pick was able to work two innings of scoreless play in just his second outing of the season, his first with Reading. Savery was relieved by Justin Friend, who earned his first save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
With the loss, the Curve have now scored two runs in their last 53 innings, and they are a season-high seven games below .500. With a double in the fifth, Starling Marte extended his hitting streak to ten games.
The series continues on Tuesday, and with it, a Two-for-Tuesday at Blair County Ballpark thanks to Atlantic Broadband and KRAFT Singles. Fans can take advantage of one of the best deals in Minor League Baseball by getting two tickets, two hot dogs and two small popcorns all for the price of one during the 7 p.m. game.
RHP Kyle McPherson (1-2, 3.24) will start for the Curve (34-41) on Tuesday and he'll be opposed by RHP Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 2.77) for Reading (37-39). Gates open up at 6 p.m. and air time on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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