Curve offense struggles again, fall to Defenders 4-1
Published on August 16, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
YANTIC, CT - Altoona's offensive woes continued at Dodd Stadium on Wednesday as the Curve lost to the Defenders 4-1. After sweeping a doubleheader from the Defenders on Monday, Altoona dropped the final two games of the series in Connecticut, scoring just twice in two days on a total of ten hits.
One night after fellow top prospect Neil Walker drove in the only score for the Curve with a solo home run, Andrew McCutchen came through with a ninth-inning RBI single to score Altoona's only run of the game on Wednesday. The 19-year-old centerfielder now has two hits in as many games at the Double-A level since joining the Curve on Tuesday.
The Defenders took a 1-0 lead after a Nate Schierholtz double in the bottom of the third inning. The two-bagger scored Andy Busch from second base and was Schierholtz's seventh hit of the series against the Curve, who have now dropped six of its last nine contests.
Busch's tally was the only earned run allowed by Curve starter Jason Roach, who took the loss after pitching five innings, surrendering four runs and four hits while striking out five.
The Defenders would pile on three more runs in the fifth frame thanks to a sacrifice fly by Schierholtz and a two-run blast by Brian Buscher. All three runs were unearned due to a fielding error committed by Brian Bixler during the third at-bat of the inning.
The Curve managed just two hits, both by Bixler, through the first eight frames before earning three hits in their final at-bat to score their only run of the game. Bixler has now earned at least one hit in 13 of his last 15 games.
Chris Begg started for the Defenders and tied the Curve's Landon Jacobsen for the second most victories in the league after winning his 12th decision. The right-hander pitched a complete game five-hitter with two strikeouts and no walks.
McCutchen's RBI single came with two outs in the ninth inning after pinch-hitter Ray Sadler and left fielder Nyjer Morgan also singled.
The Curve will enjoy an off-day on Thursday before returning home to open up a six-game homestand at Blair County Ballpark with the first of three games against the Harrisburg Senators. Jacobsen (12-7, 3.06) will start against David Maust (6-9, 4.59). The game begins at 7:05 and will be followed by a spectacular fireworks show. It's also Hometowns of Blair County Night.
Eastern League Stories from August 16, 2006
- Sea Dogs put the Hertzler on the Cats, 4-2 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fisher Cats fall 4-2 in Portland - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- B-Mets shut out, lose seventh straight - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Begg baffles Curve in 4-1 win - Connecticut Defenders
- Thunder win third straight on the road - Trenton Thunder
- Curve offense struggles again, fall to Defenders 4-1 - Altoona Curve
- Discovery Channel to tape his show "Dirty Jobs" at Prince George Stadium August 25 - Chesapeake Baysox
- Aeros Dynamics - Akron RubberDucks
- Fisher Cats holding two August events for young professionals - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder AGM to join 500 round tripper club - Trenton Thunder
- Harrisburg Senators game notes - Harrisburg Senators
- Kody Kirkland Promoted To Toledo - Erie SeaWolves
- Baysox extend win streak over B-Mets to six - Chesapeake Baysox
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.
