Curve fall in extras to the Reading Phillies in Philadelphia 5-4
Published on June 12, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
PHILADELPHIA: The Altoona Curve fought out of an early 3-0 hole against the Reading Phillies to force extra innings, but eventually lost 5-4 at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. The defeat marked the eighth loss in the last eleven games for Altoona who are now four games out of first place.
Reading led off the tenth inning with back-to-back doubles off of reliever Brandon Knight to drop the Curve to 0-2 in major league stadiums. The Curve fell to the Erie SeaWolves in 2004 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The Curve trailed after each of the first eight innings before tying the game in the ninth frame.
Craig Stansberry led off the ninth inning with a single up the middle, but was thrown out at second base when Dave Parrish's sacrifice bunt attempt was unsuccessful. The Curve catcher would advance to third base on a fielding error by the Phillies' Angel Chavez.
Brandon Chaves singled Parrish home to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
Chavez would make up for his miscue with a two-bagger to left field in the tenth inning. Pinch hitter Brandon Gemoll followed with a double of his own to score the game-winning tally.
Joey Hammond had a monster game for the Phillies, finishing 4-for-5 with a homerun and three RBI. Hammond's solo shot came in the first inning off of Curve starter Ron Chiavacci who made his first start in an Altoona uniform.
Chiavacci gave up four runs on nine hits in five innings pitched, but was taken off the hook when Parrish scored in the ninth to tie the score.
Reading starter Daniel Haigwood allowed just two earned runs in six innings pitched, but earned a no-decision. Chris Key, who was replaced by Gemoll when the Phillies were batting in the tenth, recovered from his first blown save of the year to pick up his first win of the year.
Ray Sadler hit a homerun in the fourth inning to score the Curve's first run of the game and cut the Phillies' lead to 3-1. Altoona would follow with single-run innings in the sixth, seventh and ninth frames to tie the ballgame and send it into extras.
The Curve return home to take on the Harrisburg Senators on Tuesday at Blair County Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Matt Peterson (3-4) will start for the Curve against Beltran Perez (3-1). There will be pre-game karaoke on the Party Deck and a fireworks show presented by the US Army following the game.
Eastern League Stories from June 12, 2006
- Curve fall in extras to the Reading Phillies in Philadelphia 5-4 - Altoona Curve
- Romero promoted to Triple-A, Purcey back with Fisher Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
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