Curve move closer to playoffs
Published on August 25, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
HARRISBURG- Wardell Starling tossed seven strong innings and Brandon Chaves knocked in a pair of runs as part of a three-run third inning as the Altoona Curve earned a key 3-1 win over the Harrisburg Senators Friday night at Commerce Bank Park in Harrisburg.
The win keeps the second-place Curve (72-58) at least four games ahead of the third-place Reading Phillies in the race for the wild-card berth in the Eastern League's Southern Division and reduces the club's magic number to officially secure a post-season spot to seven.
The Curve scored all three of their runs in the top of the third inning against Harrisburg starter Beltran Perez. After loading the bases with one out, Ray Sadler knocked in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to left. Chaves then came through with the game's biggest hit, a groundball, two-run single to center, which scored Andrew McCutchen and Simon Pond and gave Altoona a 3-0 advantage.
Perez (8-6), who was saddled with the loss, was ejected from the game along with interim manager Bob Henley and pitching coach Rick Tomlin after arguing a series of calls with the home plate umpire following the third inning.
Meanwhile, Starling (5-4) built early momentum on the mound, retiring his first 11 batters faced and cruised to the win. The right-hander, who also added a double at the plate, allowed just one run and three hits over his seven innings. The bullpen of Jorge Vasquez and Brandon Knight each tossed a scoreless inning to close out the win, with Knight earning his 24th save.
The Curve and Senators will continue their four-game weekend series Saturday night at 6:05 PM, as Altoona right-hander Nerio Rodriguez (0-1, 8.64) squares off against Harrisburg southpaw Matt Chico (1-0, 3.64).
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