EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Can't Solve Wright in Opener Loss

Published on June 22, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Akron knuckleballer Steven Wright's signature pitch frustrated Altoona's bats into the seventh, and a ninth-inning rally attempt fell just short as the Curve dropped their sixth one-run loss to the Aeros this season, this time 4-3 on Friday night in front of 5,210 at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The first-place Aeros arrived in Altoona with a 7-1 record this season against the host Curve and grabbed the game's initial advantage in the series opener of this four-game set in the top of the third inning with three runs against Brandon Cumpton, two crossing home plate on Nick Weglarz's double, and all three touching the plate with two outs.

The Curve didn't waste any time getting on the board in response with Latimore crushing a hanging knuckler over the left field wall to lead off the bottom of the third and make it a 3-1 game, but Altoona couldn't mount much else against Wright.

Cumpton (7-6) threw well, but he couldn't finish off the sixth, departing one out shy while allowing four runs in total. The right-hander matched a career high with eight strikeouts and issued just one walk.

Wright (6-4) pitched within one out of finishing the seventh and struck out seven batters over his night, picking up the victory with a quality start. The Curve scratched across two more runs charged to his account in the sixth to make it a one-run game at 4-3 on an RBI single by Evan Chambers and a wild pitch by reliever Tyler Sturdevant, but Altoona could draw no closer.

Sturdevant and closer Preston Guilmet (S, 9) finished off the final 2.1 innings on the mound for Akron.

Saturday night, the Zooperstars hit town, bringing their unique inflatable act to the ballpark for on a Curve, Pa. Blue Out Saturday. The day starts at Peoples Natural Gas Field with the Touch-A-Truck event benefitting the Nehemiah Project from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Curve will send right-hander Shairon Martis (5-2, 4.18) to the mound for the second game of this four-game series against Akron righty Brett Brach (2-2, 3.29). First pitch on Saturday night is 6 p.m. for the lone nine-inning affair with gates opening at 5. Airtime on ESPN 1430 and the Curve Radio Network is slated for 5:30. For tickets and more information on the current Curve homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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Eastern League Stories from June 22, 2012


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