Curve get shutout 2-0, swept by Aeros
June 1, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
AKRON, OH "" The pitchers took center stage in a 2-0 win for the Akron Aeros over the Curve at Canal Park on Thursday night. Starters Shane Youman (pictured) and Rafael Perez combined to pitch 12 shutout innings and allow just two hits. The victory completed a three-game sweep and pulled the Aeros to within just a ý-game of Altoona in the Southern Division standings.
Perez earned his fourth win of the season, twirling a magnificent complete game shutout to give the Aeros their ninth win in twelve games. The left hander allowed just two hits and three walks and struck out five on the night, facing just two more than the minimum in his victory.
Akron broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with an unearned run off of reliever Chris Hernandez (3-2). Ivan Ochoa scored both runs for the Aeros, including an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning to provide the final margin of victory.
Youman began the contest for Altoona on the mound in a spot start, and was lifted after three no-hit innings. The Curve would use a total of four pitchers on the night, and Hernandez would get the loss, allowing an unearned run on no hits and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.
Ochoa put Akron on top when he scored on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Eider Torres. Torres' bunt was fielded by catcher Milver Reyes who attempted to throw Ochoa out at third base. The throw went wide of the bag and into left field and Ochoa came home to score what stood up to be the game-winning run.
Neither team would record a base hit until the fourth inning, and Altoona did not earn a base knock until the top of the sixth. The Curve had the potential tying run at the plate with one out in the ninth inning, but Vic Buttler flied into a double play to end the game.
With Javier Guzman at first, Buttler's deep drive was caught on the warning track in centerfield and Guzman, who had already rounded second thinking the ball would drop in for a hit, was doubled off at first.
Brant Ust and Milver Reyes' singles would be the only hits of the night for the Curve, who managed just five baserunners all game.
The Curve return home on Friday, June 2 to take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in a three-game set at Blair County Ballpark. A pair of lefties will square off in the series opener with Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Mike Connolly (5-3) starting for Altoona against Kurt Isenberg (1-6).
Eastern League Stories from June 1, 2006
- Lightning strikes on Bowie, BaySox lose in five innings, 5-1 - Chesapeake Baysox
- Curve get shutout 2-0, swept by Aeros - Altoona Curve
- Senators rained out - Harrisburg Senators
- Aeros Dynamics - Altoona Curve
- Sea Dogs hold off Thunder - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder fall to Sea Dogs, 10-5 - Trenton Thunder
- Even More Moves for Senators - Harrisburg Senators
- Defenders swept by Cats - Connecticut Defenders
- Fisher Cats complete sweep of Connecticut, 7-3, Thursday afternoon - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Collazo, Batista Help B-Mets Win Pitcher's Duel - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer's Park to open Saturday - Reading Fightin Phils
- Arnold activated from DL - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
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