Curve drop season finale, 3-2, turn focus towards playoffs on Wednesday
Published on September 4, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA, PA - The Curve wrapped up their 2006 regular season schedule with a 3-2 loss to the Bowie Baysox on Monday night at Blair County Ballpark. A Labor Day crowd of nearly 6,000 fans was on hand as the Curve played their final game before opening up a playoff series against the Akron Aeros on Wednesday.
Altoona grabbed an early 1-0 advantage, but surrendered three runs in the fifth inning to the Baysox on back-to-back doubles and never regained the lead.
The Curve collected the first run of the game in the second inning when Brett Roneberg scored from second on a Simon Pond double after he walked and stole second base.
Before the game, Roneberg was awarded the team's MVP award and finished the regular season with a .302 batting average, ten home runs and 74 RBI.
Bowie took the lead for good in the fifth inning, scoring twice on a double by Bryan Bass that plated Raul Chavez and Jason Maxey. The Baysox would tack on one more tally in the inning when Rayner Bautista drove in Bass from third with his own two-bagger.
Brian Finch pitched the first seven innings for Bowie, holding the Curve to just two runs on seven hits for his sixth victory of the year. Marino Salas pitched the ninth inning to nail down his second save in as many nights.
Wardell Starling pitched for the Curve and took the loss, surrendering three runs in six innings on five hits and two walks. In 15 starts with Altoona this season, Starling allowed more than three earned runs only once, but finished with a 6-5 record.
Altoona would score once in the sixth after threatening in the third and fifth frames. Ray Sadler ripped a triple off the wall in centerfield with two outs in the sixth and scored when Brandon Chaves tripled off the first base bag.
Mike Connolly made his first relief appearance of the year, pitching a perfect seventh inning out of the bullpen. Chris Hernandez and Jorge Vasquez combined with Connolly to hold the Baysox to just one hit over the final three innings.
Altoona will host the division champion Akron Aeros (AA/Cleveland Indians) in Games 3 and 4 of the E.L. Divisional Playoff Round on Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th at Blair County Ballpark. Both games will start at 7:05 PM.
Eastern League Stories from September 4, 2006
- Curve to Hold Open Workout Tuesday Afternoon Before Traveling to Akron For Playoffs - Altoona Curve
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