Curve Hands out Season-Ending Awards
Published on September 5, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve handed out its 2010 season-ending awards today at Blair County Ballpark in a ceremony before the 6 p.m. game with the Reading Phillies. All-Star Hector Gimenez nabbed Curve MVP honors while All-Star starter Rudy Owens was named the Pitcher of the Year. Closer Daniel Moskos was tabbed the Fireman of the Year, first baseman Matt Hague the Iron Man and 2B/3B Josh Harrison the team's Unsung Hero.
Gimenez, 27, has had a career year with the Altoona Curve in 2010, being named to the Eastern League's midseason All-Star team and also earning his first end of the year All-Star distinction. Entering tonight's game with Reading, Gimenez leads the team in home runs with a career high 16 and his .301 batting average is seventh best in the Eastern League. His work with the Curve pitching staff, which has been at the top or near the top of the Eastern League all season long, also helped this Curve club to the second-best record in franchise history.
Owens, 22, was also named to the midseason and postseason Eastern League All-Star squad and has been among the best pitchers in the league the entire season. The Mesa, Ariz. native earned the win in the Curve's division-clinching game in Bowie on Tuesday and is currently tied for the team lead in wins with 12. He currently leads the league in ERA and WHIP while ranking among the league leaders in strikeouts (fourth), batting average against (fourth) and lowest BB/9IP ratio for a starter (second).
Moskos, 24, has been the closer for the Altoona Curve virtually all season long and has been one of the best closers in the E.L. this season. His 20 saves heading into Sunday night's game with Reading ranks him second in the league and that is in a shorter amount of time because of his call-up to Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the year. Opponents have hit .175 off the Clemson University product this season and the 20 saves are tied for the fifth most in a single season in franchise history.
Hague, 25, has been the cornerstone of the infield at first base all season long, playing in 133 of the team's 140 games played thus far. Consistently hitting in the four spot all season, Hague has put up career numbers as his 15 home runs and 85 RBI have both set career highs. He is currently in the midst of a 19-game consecutive games on base streak heading into tonight's game and his .297 batting average is 10th best in the Eastern League. He was also named to the E.L. midseason All-Star squad.
Harrison, 23, has batted all over the Curve lineup card this season and his offensive production has remained constant. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has a .303 average, which is tied for fourth best in the Eastern League, and his 155 hits are the fourth most in team history. His 75 RBI are second only to Hague's and are a career high for the second/third baseman. Earlier this season in Portland, Harrison connected for the first multi-homer game of his professional career.
The 2010 Eastern League Playoffs begin on Wednesday at Blair County Ballpark with the Curve hosting the Western Division runner-up. Tickets for Games 1, 2, and 5 in the Divisional Playoff Series and Games 1 and 2 in the E.L. Championship Series are also on sale now by phone, online, and at the ballpark ticket office. The 2010 E.L. Playoffs are presented by McDonald's, Peoples Natural Gas, Sheetz, Pepsi and Atlantic Broadband.
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