EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Bats Come Up Short

Published on May 18, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA- Curve starter Josh Shortslef turned in a solid pitching performance Friday night against Bowie, but it wasn't enough for the left-hander to avoid his fifth consecutive losing decision as the Baysox took the series opener at Blair County Ballpark, 3-1.

Shortslef (0-5), who started last season with a 5-0 record, remained winless despite allowing only one run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. His 0-5 start is due, in part, to the lack of run support given by the Curve offense. Through Shortslef's eight starts, Altoona has posted only 17 total runs, a stark contrast to the 6.9 runs of offensive support he received in 12 starts for the Curve in 2006.

Bowie starter Oscar Alvarez (5-1) outdueled Shortslef, carrying a two-hit shutout into the ninth inning to earn his fifth victory of the season. The left-hander had his shutout bid ended in the bottom of the ninth by Adam Boeve, who led off the frame with a solo home run over the center field wall. Boeve's fourth longball of the season reduced the Baysox lead to 3-1.

However, Alvarez and closer James Hoey combined to retire the next three batters in a row to preserve the win. Hoey, who has not allowed a run in 13 2/3 innings this season, was credited with his ninth save in nine opportunities.

The Baysox scored one run off each of the Curve's three pitchers, Shortslef, Mike Nannini and Alay Soler. In the fourth, Bowie plated the game's first run when Eli Whiteside bounced into a 6-4-3 double play. A wild pitch by Nannini allowed the Baysox second run to cross the plate in the eighth and an RBI single by Paco Figueroa off Soler in the ninth made it 3-0.

Offensively for the Curve, in addition to Boeve's ninth-inning homer, Neil Walker and Steven Pearce were the only batters to record a hit. Walker, who singled in the fourth inning for his only hit, nearly tied the game in the top of the seventh inning with a deep fly ball to left that was grabbed by Bowie left fielder Ryan Hubele before it landed in the bleachers.

Boeve's homer extended his team-high hitting streak to ten games. He also drew a walk earlier in the game to move his on-base streak to 19 straight contests.

Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-4 on the night when Curve fans received McCutchen bobblehead dolls as they entered the gates.

Altoona (19-18) will look to even the three-game series against Bowie (20-20) Saturday evening at 5:05 PM with reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Luis Munoz (5-0, 2.03) on the mound. Munoz can become just the second pitcher in Curve history to go 6-0 with a win over the Baysox and former Orioles' first round selection Beau Hale (4-2, 4.08).

Saturday's first pitch is set for 5:05 PM and following the game fans will be treated to another spectacular fireworks show courtesy of U.S. Foodservice.

Check out the Altoona Curve Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 18, 2007


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