EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Fight Through Rain to Defeat Portland, 8-1

Published on June 23, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve fought through rainy conditions for a majority of the game to come away with an, 8-1, win over the Portland Sea Dogs on Wednesday night at Blair County Ballpark. Starting pitcher Bryan Morris (4-2) went 6.2 innings and allowed just one run to earn his fourth win of the season for Altoona.

After the Sea Dogs opened the scoring off Morris in the first, Altoona sent eight men to the plate in the bottom half of the inning and plated four runs on five hits. Gorkys Hernandez and Josh Harrison singled ahead of a bases-clearing double by Matt Hague that made it, 2-1 Altoona. Jordy Mercer followed with a single to bring Hague around to run the score to, 3-1.

Hector Gimenez doubled and Alex Presley grounded into a force play that retired Mercer at the plate for the inning's second out. With Gimenez on third, Sea Dogs catcher Luis Exposito allowed a ball to get by him that enabled Gimenez to score. After one inning it was 4-1 Altoona.

That would be enough for Morris, who settled in nicely after the first inning to retire nine in a row from the first inning and into the fourth. He allowed two one-out singles in the fourth but induced an inning-ending double play to escape the jam.

In the bottom half of the inning, Presley drew a one-out walk off Sea Dogs starter Jeremy Kehrt (1-3) ahead of Miles Durham, who slugged his fourth home run of the season to put the Curve in front, 6-1.

Altoona added two more runs in the sixth to make it, 8-1, when Gimenez homered for the 11th time this season and Presley scored later in the inning on a missed catch error by the ‘Dogs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Diego Moreno, who was activated off the DL earlier in the day, pitched the ninth and struck out three batters while walking one. Durham and Gimenez each went 2-for-4 in the win for Altoona.

The Curve (47-24), who have the best record in the minor leagues, will look to sweep the Sea Dogs (36-34) in a 12 p.m. game on Thursday at Blair County Ballpark. Eastern League wins leader Jared Hughes (9-3, 3.70) will toss in the finale for Altoona while RHP Stephen Fife (4-1, 3.86) starts for Portland.

Thursday is a Weis Buy Thursday and a special Thirsty Thursday with $2 16 oz. Bud Light drafts and $1.50 22oz. sodas presented by The Belmar Hotel and Furrer Beverage. Those ages 21 and over who purchase a beer out on the Party Deck during the game will receive a free pint glass with their purchase. After the game, select Curve players will serve as celebrity bartenders at The Belmar from 5-7 p.m. with their tips going towards charity.

Radio coverage on flagship ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network begins at 11:30 a.m.

Check out the Altoona Curve Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central