EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve denied sweep Sunday, fall to Fisher Cats, 11-5

Published on June 11, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


MANCHESTER, NH- Chip Cannon and David Smith combined for six hits--including three home runs--and were responsible for eight of New Hampshire's 11 runs in the Fisher Cats' 11-5 win over the Altoona Curve Sunday afternoon at Merchants Auto.com Stadium in Manchester, NH.

Cannon, the Fisher Cats' first baseman, clubbed two home runs in the contest, including the first of back-to-back home runs with Smith in the seventh inning as New Hampshire avoided being swept by the Curve on their home field.

Despite the loss, Altoona (36-25) took two of three games in New Hampshire and will conclude its seven-day road trip with a single game against the Reading Phillies Monday night in Philadelphia.

Curve starter Matt Lorenzo, who filled in for previously scheduled starter Landon Jacobsen was roughed up for three runs in the first inning and two more in the fourth to suffer the loss in his Altoona debut. Lorenzo (0-1), who came to the Pirates' organization last week after being outrighted by the Atlanta Braves, made the start for the Curve after Jacobsen was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday night. He was tagged for five runs in four innings, walking four batters and striking out one.

After the Fisher Cats jumped on Lorenzo for three runs in the bottom of the first, Altoona evened the game briefly with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth. Brett Roneberg singled home Vic Buttler with the first Curve run, then scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Ray Sadler. Altoona tied the game later in the frame when Simon Pond came home on a throwing error by shortstop Manny Mayorson.

However, New Hampshire would answer with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and held onto the lead the rest of the game. Cannon's first longball in the fifth inning built the advantage to 7-3.

Fisher Cats' starter Mike McDonald (6-3) went six innings to pick up the win. The right-hander allowed four runs--three earned--on nine hits, walking two and fanning two.

Pond paced the Altoona offense with three hits, including his team-leading eighth home run--a solo shot in the sixth inning. Vic Buttler added to his minor league lead with his 11th triple of the season, moving within just one of the club record set by Tike Redman in 1999. Buttler and Brandon Chaves each posted two hits.

Altoona will send newcomer Ron Chiavacci to the mound for Monday's game against Reading, which will be played at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Chiavacci, who made 12 appearances, including four starts, for Triple-A Indianapolis this season, was added to the Curve roster on Sunday to take the place of Jacobsen. Reading will counter with lefty Daniel Haigwood (1-5, 3.97) for the 7:05 PM contest.

The Curve will return to Blair County Ballpark Tuesday night to open a six-game homestand with the first of three games against the Harrisburg Senators. The homestand will continue thru next Sunday and include three games against the R-Phils.

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Eastern League Stories from June 11, 2006


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