Curve fall just short of series sweep
Published on June 5, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - The Altoona Curve came up short in their bid to record a three-game series sweep of the visiting New Britain Rock Cats, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Minnesota Twins' affiliate Thursday evening at Blair County Ballpark.
Despite the loss, Altoona (24-33) recorded its third consecutive series win, taking two of three games from the Rock Cats. The Curve also won both of their series during last week's road trip to Bowie and Erie, including a three-game sweep of the Baysox. In the last 10 games, Altoona is 8-2.
New Britain (28-31) used a third-inning, three-run home run from center fielder Steve Tolleson to vault to a 3-0 advantage against Altoona starter Kyle Bloom. The Rock Cats stretched their lead in the fourth with a single run on a Drew Butera single and never reliquished the lead to hand Bloom (0-4) his fourth loss in as many decisions. The left-hander was charged with four runs and six hits over four innings.
The bullpen combo of Juan Mateo and Dave Davidson gave the Curve a chance to inch back into the game after retiring all 15 batters they faced from the fifth through ninth innings. Mateo recorded three perfect innings of relief while Davidson set down all six men he faced in the eighth and ninth.
Altoona got on the board against New Britain lefty starter Errol Simonitsch in the bottom of the sixth on a double off the bat of Brad Corley. The ball bounced off the warning track in deep left-center field and over the wall, scoring Shelby Ford from third, but costing Corley an additional RBI as Jonel Pacheco was sent back to third on the ground rule double.
Trailing 4-1 in the ninth against closer Ben Julianel, Altoona threatened after two outs when Anthony Webster scored from first on a triple by Luis Cruz, but Jason Bowers, representing the tying run, popped out to left field to end the game.
Simonitsch (1-3) allowed only one run and three hits over six innings to record his first win of the season. Julianel notched his 11th save for New Britain.
Cruz's ninth-inning triple extended his team-high hitting streak to nine games. Webster, Corley, Pacheco and Ryan Doumit added the only other hits. Doumit, the Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher, who likely played in his final of three rehab appearances with the club, started at catcher for the second day in a row and batted three times before exiting game in the sixth. The switch-hitter, who has been out of the Bucs' lineup since May 13th with a fractured left thumb, could be activated from the 15-Day Disabled List as early as Friday.
The Curve will remain at home through the weekend, playing a three-game series against the Connecticut Defenders (AA/Giants) at Blair County Ballpark. Friday's series opener will begin at 7:05 p.m. and will feature Post-Game Fireworks courtesy of Family Health Council of Central PA. In addition, the Curve will make one lucky fan the winner of a Myrtle Beach All-Star Vacation Getaway. Great seats remain and can be purchased by visiting the BCB Ticket Office, by calling (877) 99-CURVE, or by visiting AltoonaCurve.com.
On the mound, Altoona will send right-hander Yoslan Herrera (3-6, 4.14) against Connecticut righty Joey Martinez (2-5, 2.29).
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