Curve Can't Complete Epic Comeback in One-Run Loss on Saturday
Published on June 28, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Curve nearly overcame a seven-run deficit but ultimately fell one-run shy in an, 8-7, loss to the Binghamton Mets in front of 4,594 on Saturday night. Altoona sent 12 men to the plate and scored six runs in the seventh to drastically change the final three innings of the game before eventually falling by one run.
Altoona's second-largest single inning run output of the season began when B-Mets starter Steven Matz (1-0) left the game leading, 7-0, after shutting out the Curve over six innings with a season-high nine strikeouts. Jarek Cunningham led off the inning with a single before pinch hitter Justin Howard worked a walk. Alen Hanson grounded out to first to move up the runners 90 feet. Kelson Brown grounded out to short to score Cunningham from third and get the Curve on the board at, 7-1.
The next five runs of the inning were all scored with two outs off Randy Fontanez. Elias Diaz doubled home Howard from second for the inning's second run and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Matt Curry drew a walk and then moved to second on another wild pitch by Fonantez that score Diaz from third. Stetson Allie hit a chopper over the mound and singled to second. Brian Burgamy made a poor throw to try and retire Allie at first and it went towards the stands, allowing Curry to scorel. All the sudden it was, 7-4.
Things continued to fall the Curve's way in the seventh when Willy Garcia singled to score Allie to pull Altoona within two. Adam Kolarek was called into the game to try and corral the damage but he gave up a single to deep second to Andy Vasquez. Cunningham, who started the inning, grounded out to third and it looked like it would end the inning. Burgamy, who had been moved to third as part of the double switch to bring Kolarek into the game, booted the ball at third and allowed Garcia to score and pull the Curve to within one at 7-6.
Howard was hit to load up the bases but Hanson struck out to end the inning.
The Curve put the tying run on in the eighth with less than two down but Allie grounded into a double play. Ryan Beckman, who pitched a scoreless eighth, allowed a run in the ninth that proved to be the difference maker in the game.
Down 8-6 heading into their last trip to the dish, the Curve were able to plate a run when Hanson hit into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and one out. It scored Garcia from third but also put the second out on the board. Brown struck out looking to end the game.
Diaz and Garcia each finished the game 3-for-5 in the loss. Zack Dodson (2-4) allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings and suffered the loss on Saturday. For Binghamton, former Pirates farmhand Dilson Herrera was 4-for-5 with five RBI and his first Double-A home run.
The Curve (29-51) and B-Mets (47-33) meet up for the final time of the season at 6 p.m. Sunday night in Curve, Pa. Postgame fireworks follow Sunday night's game with the B-Mets and before the game fans can come on to the field and play catch from 5-5:25 p.m. After the game, kids can run the bases.
The Curve will be wearing special jerseys on Sunday night in the likeness of the 1992 Pirates home uniforms thanks to Reliable Towing Tire & Auto. Those uniforms will carry a patch with the initials "EC" as a tribute to 2012 Curve OF Evan Chambers, who passed away in the offseason. They will be auctioned off during the game in a silent auction with all of the proceeds from the auction being donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the memory of Chambers.
Fans are also encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items to the game on Sunday for the St. Vincent de Paul Society Soup Kitchen Food Drive.
On the hill for the Curve Sunday night will be RHP Pat Ludwig (0-2, 5.54), who will be making his third Double-A start and his first at home. He'll be opposed by RHP Matthew Bowman (5-5, 3.72) in the series finale.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information on the final game of the homestand, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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