EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Best in Baseball with 5-4 Win over 'Cats in 10

Published on June 3, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - The Altoona Curve were able to survive three separate comeback attempts by New Britain (AA - Minnesota Twins) and complete a three-game sweep of the Rock Cats using a 5-4, 10-inning victory to propel themselves to the best record in professional baseball on Thursday night at New Britain Stadium.

Altoona (36-18) is 18 games over .500 and tied with the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League for the best mark in baseball.

The Curve would grab leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but two separate rallies by the Rock Cats (14-39) tied the contest at 1-1 and 2-2 in the second and seventh innings. Both teams were stymied by the opposition's starting pitching. Altoona start Tim Alderson tossed six solid innings allowing just one run on five hits, while New Britain starter Mike McCardell tossed eight frames permitting two runs on six hits. Neither factored in the decision.

Neither team could break the 2-2 dead lock which sent the contest to the 10th inning. Altoona's Alex Presley led off the frame by belting a solo home run off of Rock Cats reliever Matt Williams, putting the Curve ahead, 3-2. Altoona would use three consecutive two-out hits to secure two more insurance runs. Josh Harrison drove in Chase d'Arnaud and Gorkys Hernandez to extend the Curve lead to 5-2.

Altoona would need every bit of insurance as Daniel Moskos was able to overcome a pair of two-out errors by his defense. Harrison mishandled a ground ball and a base hit mishandled by center fielder Hernandez would eventually allow two unearned runs to score and bring the Rock Cats within one, 5-4. Moskos would then induce a flyout to left field by Yangervis Solarte to end the game and preserve win and ensure the sweep to notch his league-best 13th save of the season.

The Altoona Curve will continue their six-game road, New England road trip as they open the first of a three-game set at New Hampshire on Friday night against the Eastern League Eastern Division's first place Fisher Cats (34-21) at 7:05 p.m. LHP Rudy Owens (5-2, 3.07) will toe the rubber for Altoona while New Hampshire sends LHP Luis Perez (5-4, 4.50) to the mound. Air time is 6:35 p.m. on flagship station ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and Altoona Curve Radio Network affiliates stations.

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Eastern League Stories from June 3, 2010


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