Curve road trip concludes with 5-4 loss to Erie
July 20, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ERIE, PA-- Juan Tejeda went 3-for-4 with a home run in leading the Erie SeaWolves to 5-4 victory over the Altoona Curve Wednesday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park in Erie. The first baseman continued his torrid hitting against the Curve, finishing the series 9-for-11 with a double, triple, two home runs, two RBI and seven runs scored.
The SeaWolves (51-46) took two-of-three games from the Curve in the series and claimed their sixth straight series win over Altoona dating back to last season. Erie also improved to 10-4 against the Curve this season and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Altoona for second place in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Altoona (49-47) completed its seven-game post-All-Star Break road trip with a 2-5 record and lost for the eighth time in its last nine games decided by one run.
Erie starter Jeremy Johnson got off to a rough start as Rich Thompson belted his second home run of the season in the top of the first inning to stake Altoona to a 1-0 lead. The Curve would add on in the following frame as Javier Guzman grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Adam Boeve to make it 2-0.
The lead was short lived, however, as Curve starter Eddie Candelario gave up a two-out, two-run home run to Victor Mendez in the bottom of the fourth inning to even the game at 2-2. Back-to-back doubles in the fifth by Tejeda and Kurt Airoso gave Erie a 3-2 lead.
After the Curve evened the game in the top of the sixth inning, Erie reclaimed the lead for good at 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Chris Maples led off with a home run to left field off Candelario (2-2). Tejeda then hit his 10th home run of the season in the seventh inning off Curve reliever James Johnson to make it a 5-3 game.
Altoona rallied in the top of the ninth inning against Erie closer Edwin Almonte, as Thompson knocked in Paul Chiaffredo with ground out to second that closed the difference to one run at 5-4. However, Jose Bautista, who had struck out in his previous four plate appearances on the afternoon, flew out to left field with a runner at third base to end the Curve threat and secure the win for the SeaWolves. Despite allowing a run in the ninth, Almonte earned his Eastern League-leading 28th save of the season.
Following an off day Thursday, the Curve returns to Blair County Ballpark on Friday to begin a seven-game homestand against the Harrisburg Senators and Binghamton Mets. Right-hander Matt Peterson (8-5, 6.12) takes the mound on Friday for Altoona and will be opposed by Harrisburg lefty Rich Rundles (5-7, 3.67). First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
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