Colla Superb, But Curve Shutout
June 21, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
COLLA SUPERB, BUT CURVE SHUTOUT
Win: Henderson Alvarez (4-2)
Loss: Mike Colla (4-3)
Save: Bobby Korecky (4)
Attendance: 8,317
TOG: 2:09
Box Score
MANCHESTER, N.H. - In the first game of a six-game road trip and the first of a three-game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Mike Colla pitched outstanding for the Altoona Curve, but he was matched by a shutout effort from the âCats who held on to win Tuesday night by the score of 1-0.
The absolute definition of a pitcher's duel, Curve starter Colla (4-3) and Fisher Cats' starter Henderson Alvarez combined for two hits through two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Colla pitched to Callix Crabbe in the sixth.
Through that point of the game, Colla had not allowed a hit or a run in a 0-0 game, but with a runner on second after a walk and a wild pitch, the shutout and no-hit bid ended as Crabbe doubled off the wall in right, scoring a run and giving the Fisher Cats a 1-0 lead.
All told, Colla was sensational on the mound. He went seven innings and allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Equally as good, Alvarez allowed only a leadoff single to Starling Marte and a triple in the third to Anthony Norman, who was stranded on the basepaths, over seven innings with one walk and five strikeouts.
Leading 1-0 in the eighth, Evan Crawford came on to pitch for the Fisher Cats and walked Jose Hernandez with two down in the inning and then threw the ball away on a pickoff to first with Brad Chalk running for Hernandez at first. Chalk got to third, but pinch hitting, Jordy Mercer grounded out to end the inning.
After a scoreless inning in relief from Tim Alderson, the Curve had another great chance to get on the scoreboard as closer Bobby Korecky came on for the Fisher Cats in the ninth. Marte led the inning off with an infield single and following a fly out to center, Kris Watts singled to left to move Marte to second. With one down, Marte stole third but Tony Sanchez and Matt Curry each struck out to end the game. Korecky earned his fourth save of the season.
With the loss, the Curve are back to two games below .500 this season. Mercer batted once as a pinch hitter and had his eight-game RBI streak ended.
The Curve (34-36) and the Fisher Cats (42-27) will square up for the second game of their series on Wednesday. For the Curve, RHP Kyle McPherson (1-1, 3.09) will make the start and he will be opposed by RHP Chad Jenkins (1-1, 3.86). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, N.H. with pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 6:35 p.m.
Eastern League Stories from June 21, 2011
- Lyerly's Impressive Debut Overshadowed in Loss - Trenton Thunder
- Squirrels Grab Opener from Senators, 4-2 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- 'Wolves Back Over .500 With Win at Reading - Erie SeaWolves
- Rodriguez, Huntzinger Lead Sea Dogs to 13-5 Win - Portland Sea Dogs
- Aeros Rack up Walks & Win Over B-Mets, 10-8 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Aeros Rally Late, Down B-Mets in Game One of Series - Akron RubberDucks
- R-Phils Drop Sixth-Straight Tuesday (box Score Attached) - Reading Fightin Phils
- Henderson Alvarez Tosses Seven Shutout Innings In 1-0 Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Phil Hughes at New Britain Stadium - New Britain Rock Cats
- Fourth Straight Win for Rock Cats - New Britain Rock Cats
- Hoes' Five Hits Fall Short - Chesapeake Baysox
- Colla Superb, But Curve Shutout - Altoona Curve
- OF Damon Sublett Activated from Disabled List - Trenton Thunder
- Jesse Litsch to Make Rehab Start with Fisher Cats Thursday - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Erie SeaWolves at Reading Phillies...Game Two of Four...Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Rock Cats Activate Infielder - New Britain Rock Cats
- Ryan Khoury Returns to Portland - Portland Sea Dogs
- Aeros Return for 6 Games of Fun at Canal Park Beginning Friday, June 24 - Akron RubberDucks
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
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.
