Curve Drop a Heartbreaker in Extras, 6-3
Published on September 4, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Flying Squirrels scored three runs in the top of the 14th inning on Saturday night to break a 3-3 tie and defeat the Altoona Curve, 6-3, at Blair County Ballpark. Starling Marte finished the game 3-for-7 in the loss for the Curve and ran his season-best hit streak even higher to 16 games.
Altoona seemingly had the game won in the bottom of the 12th inning after they'd tied it at three. Marte led off the inning with a single to left off newly entered reliever Wilmin Rodriguez. Brock Holt came up with sacrifice bunt to move Marte to second before the Squirrels once again dug into their bullpen.
Jeremy Farrell played the hero of the moment for Altoona when he singled through the right side to bring in Marte and tie the game at three. Andrew Lambo followed Farrell's single with a double down the right field line to place runners and second and third with one out. Matt Curry delivered a fly ball to left-center and Farrell tried to bolt for home and seemingly scored but was instead ruled out for the final out of the inning.
After a scoreless 13th frame, Richmond scored three times off Noah Krol (3-5) in the top of the 14th inning to secure the win.
It was a pitcher's duel early on in the ballgame between Richmond's Justin Fitzgerald and Altoona's Aaron Pribanic. Each starter pitched six full innings with Pribanic leaving in line for the win after allowing just one run on five hits in his six innings of duty. Altoona trailed 1-0 when Pribanic pitched his final inning in the top of the sixth but they scored two runs to place him in line for the win in the bottom half.
In the sixth inning it was Quincy Latimore who had the game-tying hit as his sac fly to left brought home Lambo from third to tie the game at one. After an intentional walk to Josh Rodriguez to load the bases, pinch hitter Kris Watts singled through the right side to bring Tony Sanchez in and put the Curve in front, 2-1.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Richmond tied the game in the very next half inning off reliever Duke Welker when he uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Johnny Monell to score and tie the game at two.
Marte and Lambo led the offense with three hits apiece while Holt chipped in two of his own. Bryan Morris tossed three scoreless innings with four strikeouts out of the Curve bullpen before turning it over to Krol for the 12th.
Squirrels Manager Dave Machemer earned his 1,500th minor-league managerial win with Richmond's 6-3 win on Saturday night.
The final homestand continues on Sunday at 6 p.m. as the Curve will host their final Sunday Night Fireworks of the season. Sunday will also serve as the finale of the Summer Cruise Series presented by Nittany Travel. Throughout the season, the Curve have given away four items as part of the Cruise Series, and each fan that brings in their Curve Tighty Whiteys, Curve Aviator Sunglasses, Curve Shot Glass and Curve Foam Football, will be entered into a drawing to win a cruise for four thanks to Nittany Travel which will be drawn after the game. Fans should also remember to bring their glove as the Curve will host a pregame catch on the field from 5 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.
Kids will run the bases after Sunday night's game as well.
Altoona (63-76) sends RHP Kyle McPherson (8-5, 3.20) to the mound looking for its first win in the series. The Squirrels (75-65), who with a win would clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Division, trot out LHP Chuck Lofgren (3-2, 4.61) in the third game of the four-game set.
Gates swing open at 5 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. For more information on upcoming events and promotions in Curve, Pa., call 877.99.CURVE, visit www.AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at BCB.
Eastern League Stories from September 4, 2011
- Altoona Prevails Amongst the Raindrops for Walk-Off Win - Altoona Curve
- Altoona Prevails Amongst the Raindrops for Walk-Off Win - Altoona Curve
- Squirrels Shutout of Playoffs, 1-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Late Homer Hands B-Mets Third-Straight Loss, 5-4 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Altoona's Marte Named Rookie of the Year - EL1
- Marte Wins Curve MVP Award, McPherson Named Team's Pitcher of the Year - Altoona Curve
- Altoona's Marte Nabs E.L. Rookie of the Year Honors - Altoona Curve
- Baysox Beat Erie, Keep Playoffs Alive - Chesapeake Baysox
- SeaWolves Squashed by Baysox 10-2 - Erie SeaWolves
- Aeros Rally Late, Down Senators 6-4 - Akron RubberDucks
- Rock Cats Stay in Race by Topping Trenton - New Britain Rock Cats
- Fisher Cats Create Nightmare for the Sea Dogs - Portland Sea Dogs
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Four New Hampshire Pitchers Combine on Two-Hitter - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- R-Phils Can Clinch Playoff Berth Tonight - Reading Fightin Phils
- 1B Chris Davis Joins Baysox - Chesapeake Baysox
- Curve Drop a Heartbreaker in Extras, 6-3 - Altoona Curve
- Aeros Eliminated From Postseason Contention Despite Beating Harrisburg - Akron RubberDucks
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