
Curve falter in extras
Published on August 22, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - The ninth largest crowd in franchise history filed through the turnstiles to watch the Altoona Curve on Friday night at Blair County Ballpark.
A crowd of 8,731 were on hand to cheer on their hometown team and enjoy a post-game fireworks show presented by Penn State Altoona. The crowd of 8,731 is the largest crowd to date in the 2008 season, surpassing a mark of 8,692 set on August 2. However, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats spoiled the fun on the field, grabbing a 5-4 win in 10 innings.
Up the road in State College, the Curve's sister franchise welcomed 5,005 fans at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a combined total of 13,736 fans in both ballparks, setting a record for the Curve and Spikes.
The Curve (60-73) had a 4-1 advantage headed into the top of the sixth inning, but allowed the Fisher Cats to grab four unanswered runs for the win.
After Altoona fell behind in the top of the first inning, 1-0, the Curve got to work offensively to stake starter Jared Hughes to a three-run edge. A pair of New Hampshire errors allowed the Curve to grab two runs in the first inning. Highlighted in that inning was an RBI single by Jose Tabata, along with a throwing error by New Hampshire starter and former Pirates' hurler, Marty McLeary to allow Altoona to jump in front, 2-1.
Tabata finished the night 3-for-5, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Tabata has also recorded multiple hits seven times in his first 13 games in a Curve uniform.
Altoona would tack on single runs in the fourth and the fifth.
In the fourth, Brad Corley doubled home Jonel Pacheco to give the Curve a 3-1 lead. In the fifth, Jim Negrych brought home Milver Reyes with an RBI single to put Altoona ahead, 4-1. Negrych (2-for-3) extended his hitting streak to eight games.
New Hampshire (57-76) would respond with a single run in the top of the sixth, and one in the top of the seventh to pull within one, 4-3.
In the top of the ninth, closer Ronald Belisario allowed a one-out, solo home run to J.P. Arencibia to knot the score, 4-4.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Curve had the potential winning run aboard at second base, but Jamie Romak grounded out to end the frame and send the contest to extra frames.
Moises Robles (0-1) relieved Belisario in the top of the tenth and allowed three hits in the inning, including a one-out triple to Ryan Patterson. Moments later, Patterson scored on a wild pitch uncorked by Robles to give New Hampshire a 5-4 edge.
Seth Overbey (4-3) tossed three scoreless innings of relief, including a one-two-three tenth to earn the victory.
Altoona will return to action on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the series against the Fisher Cats. Righty Yoslan Herrera (5-9, 3.45) will toe the rubber for the Curve. Right-hander Jean Machi (2-5, 4.39) will oppose for New Hampshire.
The first 2,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will take home the fifth edition of the Curve's Tenth Anniversary Photo Ball, featuring the likeness of Tom Gorzelanny and Rob Mackowiak. Both players are members of the Curve's Tenth Anniversary All-Time team.
The Curve will also salute last year's 2007 squad with former hurler Jason Roach in attendance. Roach will throw out a first pitch, meet with fans and sign free autographs.
Great seats for Saturday's game and the remaining six Curve home games in 2008 are still available. Fans can lock up their seats by calling 877-99-CURVE, logging on to AltoonaCurve.com, or in person at the Blair County Ballpark box office.
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