Curve defeat Seawolves 5-2
July 15, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - After scoring before recording an out on Friday night, the Curve had to wait until the sixth inning on Saturday to post their first hit. Erie starter Virgil Vasquez brought a no-hitter into the sixth, but unraveled after that, allowing back-to-back-to back singles to Brandon Chaves, Javier Guzman, and Nyjer Morgan. Morgan's single to right drove in Chaves to equalize the game at one apiece.
Following Morgan in the batting order, shortstop Brian Bixler drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to right field. Morgan would also score in the inning, upping the Altoona lead to two.
After Curve starter Shane Youman cruised through his first two batters of the night, Erie right fielder Brent Clevlen smashed a home run onto the Reliance Bank behind the left field bleachers, giving the SeaWolves the early 1-0 advantage. It was Clevlen's eighth home run on the season.
Erie would not record another hit until the sixth inning when shortstop Adam Haley drove a two-out single to right field. Youman quickly found his groove once again and forced Clevlen to ground out back to the mound.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound Youman lowered his already league-leading ERA to 1.55 Saturday night after pitching seven innings of lights-out baseball. He struck out six and walked two, allowing only one run on four hits. He picked up his sixth win of the year.
Erie's Vasquez exited after pitching seven full innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Vasquez, who pitched well except for the sixth inning, has not won since June 21.
The SeaWolves closed the gap to 3-2 in the eighth, off of reliever Blaine Neal, but Simon Pond answered right back in the bottom half of the inning, driving in two runs with a two-out single to center. The first baseman finished 1-for-4 on the night.
Brandon Knight rebounded from his blown save on Friday to pitch a scoreless ninth, and pick up his 18th save. He is now tied with Justin Pope of Trenton for the league lead.
The Curve continued their unique and innovative Retro Celebrity Series Saturday evening, with Jerry Mathers, who is best known for his role as âBeaver Cleaver' on the hit show Leave it to Beaver. Mathers threw out the first pitch, met with fans and signed autographs throughout the game.
As part of the series, five more stars will visit Blair County Stadium throughout the remainder of the season from some of the most popular shows in TV history. Remaining appearances include Adam West ("Batman") on July 25th, Bernie Koppell ("Dr. Adam Bricker" from Love Boat) on August 8, Dawn Wells ("Mary Ann" from Gilligan's Island) on August 22, Ron Palillo ("Arnold Horshack" from Welcome Back Kotter) on August 28 and Jimmie Walker (J.J. from Good Times) on September 2.
Great seats are still available for Sunday's series-finale and can be purchased in person at the Blair County Ballpark box office, over the phone by calling the Curve toll-free at 877-99-Curve.
Eastern League Stories from July 15, 2006
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- Thunder outlast Akron for 50th win, 7-5 - Trenton Thunder
- Mike MacDonald earns eighth win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Curve defeat Seawolves 5-2 - Altoona Curve
- Rock Cats stay hot - New Britain Rock Cats
- Fisher Cats fall 13-4 in New Britain Saturday afternoon - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
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