EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Fight Back, But Fall in Extras

Published on July 11, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Robbie Widlansky hit a pinch hit, two-run homer in the top of the 11th to help the Bowie Baysox sweep the Altoona Curve with a, 5-3, win on Monday afternoon at Blair County Ballpark. Michael Dubee (2-3) suffered the loss for Altoona as the home run off Dubee in the 11th was the first he'd given up all season long.

The inning began when Buck Britton doubled to right center to put the go-ahead run on with no one out. Pedro Florimon then failed to get a bunt down but did manage a ground out to the right side that moved Britton to third with one away. Widlansky was then called upon to pinch hit for Brandon Waring, who was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the game, and he wound up with the game-winning hit.

Altoona did a nice job on Monday afternoon to erase an early 3-0 deficit after the Baysox plated three runs in the first off starter Phil Irwin. The three in the first were all that Irwin would allow as he kept Bowie at bay for his remaining five innings. All told, Irwin tossed six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

Bowie's early 3-0 lead would stand until the fourth when Brad Chalk, who was 3-for-4 on the day, grounded out to second base to score Kris Watts for Altoona's first run. Altoona added another in the sixth when Josh Rodriguez smashed a solo home run to left field to bring the Curve within a run.

It was Chalk again in the seventh to get things rolling for Altoona as he tripled to open the frame. After Eddie Gamboa hit Jose Hernandez, Matt Curry grounded into a double play but Chalk scored to tie the game at three.

The Curve had its chances to take the lead in the late innings on Monday as they had the leadoff man reach in the eighth and ninth innings but did not score. In the eighth, Brock Holt reached with a leadoff walk but Rodriguez couldn't put down a sac bunt to move him over. Watts ended the inning with a 3-6-3 double play.

In the ninth, Tony Sanchez was hit by a pitch to start the inning but Armando Gabino (1-1) worked out of the inning with no damage done. Altoona finished the game 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Watts and Chalk each finished the game with multi-hit games at the dish for the Curve. Aaron Thompson pitched two scoreless innings of relief before turning the ball over to Dubee for the ninth. Dubee struck out a season-best six batters in his three innings of relief.

Altoona (37-52) will now have two days off for the All-Star Break as the E.L. All-Star Game will take place in Manchester, N.H. at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Brock Holt, Starling Marte, Jeremy Farrell, Jeff Locke and Aaron Pribanic were the five Curve players selected to the game and all but Farrell will play as he is currently on the disabled list with a wrist injury. The entire Curve coaching staff will make the trek to Manchester as well to serve as the coaching staff for the Western Division squad.

The Curve will be back in action beginning at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night from Jerry Uht Park in Erie, where they will play four games before heading to Akron to wrap a seven-game road trip. Altoona returns home for a four-game homestand beginning July 21st at 7 p.m. when the New Britain Rock Cats make their way to Curve, Pa.

For more information on upcoming games and promotions at Blair County Ballpark, please visit www.AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the offices at BCB.

Airtime on Thursday night in Erie is set for 6:35 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM.

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Eastern League Stories from July 11, 2011


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