EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Edged by Rubberducks, 5-4

Published on April 9, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - An early five-run deficit proved to be insurmountable for the Curve as they fell to the Akron RubberDucks, 5-4, on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Gift Ngoepe and Andy Vasquez led the Curve offense in the defeat on Wednesday with two RBI apiece.

Southpaw Zack Dodson (0-1) ran into some trouble early and allowed two unearned runs in the first inning. After Francisco Lindor reached on a fielder's choice, Joe Wendle singled to left but ended up at third base after Vasquez misplayed the ball in left. The error also allowed Lindor to score and give Akron the, 1-0, lead. With Wendle at third, Ronny Rodriguez lifted a ball to left that was deep enough to score Wendle from third and the Curve fell behind, 2-0.

Akron then scored single runs in the second, third and fourth innings to open up a five-run lead before the Curve grabbed their first run. With two down, Alen Hanson doubled into right field to move Vasquez, who reached earlier in the inning on an error, to third and put two on with two out. Ngoepe followed with the clutch single to center to score both Hanson and Vasquez to pull the Curve within two.

That's where the game stayed until Altoona once again worked some two-out magic in the sixth. Jarek Cunningham doubled off Duke von Schamann before Vasquez belted his first homer of the season, a two-run shot to right-center, to pull the Curve within one.

Altoona couldn't muster another run the rest of the way off von Schamann nor Kyle Crockett, who pitched a scoreless ninth for the save. The Curve came close in the ninth with Elias Diaz singling and Drew Maggi working a walk to put two on with two out. Keon Broxton pinch ran for Diaz with two on and one out but Hanson nor Ngoepe could grab the hit to tie the game.

Dodson (0-1) suffered the loss after tossing four innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits. The Curve bullpen trio of Jhonathan Ramos, Joan Montero and Matt Benedict combined for five scoreless frames and gave up two hits while striking out six.

Altoona (2-3) now embarks on its first road trip with the first stop in Richmond to take on the Flying Squirrels (4-3) at 6:35 p.m. from The Diamond. RHP Adrian Sampson (0-1, 3.00) takes the game ball for the Curve in the opener while RHP Clayton Blackburn (0-0, 1.80) throws for the Squirrels.

Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The next Curve homestand begins Thursday, April 17 with a Thirsty ThursdayTM presented by Rocky 104.9. For tickets and more information on the next Curve homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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Eastern League Stories from April 9, 2014


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