Curve Rally in Tenth, Snap Skid
August 22, 2007 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
READING- The Curve scored three runs in the top of the 10th inning to beat the Reading Phillies, 5-2, on Wednesday night, snapping Altoona's six-game losing streak.
Taber Lee pinch-hit to lead off the 10th for Altoona and promptly delivered a single to get the Curve started. Jason Bowers sacrificed Lee to second, and he advanced to third on a ground out by Peter Bergeron. Following an intentional walk to Russ Johnson. Vic Buttler delivered the eventual game-winning single to score Lee and give the Curve a 3-2 lead. A batter later, Jason Delaney delivered some insurance in the form of a two-run single that capped the scoring, 5-2.
Johnson awoke the Curve's previously slumbering offense in the first inning with the first of two home runs on the night. Johnson's blast to left field off of Phillies' starter Chris Rojas gave Altoona a 1-0 lead. Johnson's homer assured that the Curve wouldn't be shut out for a franchise record fourth consecutive ballgame.
The R-Phils took the lead in the fourth inning, finally getting to Curve starter Luis Munoz. Joey Hammond led off the inning with a single, and was pushed to second base when Munoz walked Michael Costanzo. The pair were sacrificed to third, and scored on a two-run single delivered by Peeter Ramos to give Reading a 2-1 lead. Munoz worked six strong innings, allowing just those two runs on five hits, but did not factor in the decision.
Johnson leveled the score with his second drive of the night in the sixth. Again Johnson victimized Rojas, sending his second homer to left field to tie the score, 2-2.
The game stayed tied into the tenth, as Romulo Sanchez turned in three scoreless inning of relief. Sanchez (6-3) was rewarded with his sixth victory of the season.
Following the Curve rally, Matt Peterson retired the Reading side in order in the bottom of the tenth to earn his 24th save of the season.
Chris Key (5-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing the three runs to the Curve in the tenth.
The five runs for the Curve came on the heels of scoring just one run over their previous 30 offensive innings.
The Curve return to Blair County Ballpark on Thursday night to open an eight-game homestand which will conclude the home portion of the Curve's regular season. The homestand begins with a four-game series against the Harrisburg Senators. Game one is scheduled for 7:05 PM. LHP Josh Shortslef (3-12, 4.45) will make the start for Altoona against RHP Beltran Perez (6-5, 4.45) for Harrisburg.
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