EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Suffer Another One-Run Loss to End Road Trip

Published on April 13, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


AKRON, Ohio - Altoona's ninth-inning rally fell just shy on Wednesday in Akron as the Aeros hung on to defeat the Curve, 3-2, at Canal Park to take the final game of the three-game series. It is the fourth one-run loss of the year for the Curve.

Trailing by two entering the ninth, Jeremy Farrell led off the inning and reached on an error by shortstop Juan Diaz. With Farrell on first, Shelby Ford and Brad Chalk both struck out to put the Curve up against the wall with Brock Holt at the plate. Farrell, who had moved to second on a wild pitch during Chalk's at bat, would come around to score on a single by Holt into right field to cut the lead to one.

Starling Marte followed Holt's single with a single of his own and Altoona was still alive in the ninth with two on and two down. Jordy Mercer put up a good fight against Aeros closer Cory Burns but Burns won the battle as he struck out Mercer to end the comeback and the game.

Akron started the scoring off of Jeff Locke (0-2) in the third with back-to-back doubles by Matt McBride and Kyle Bellows to open up a, 2-0, lead. The Curve answered right back in the top of the fourth when Farrell singled in Miles Durham from second base to pull Altoona within one.

With runners at the corners in the fourth and just one down, Aeros starter Joe Gardner (2-0) got Ford to foul out and Chalk to fly out to end the inning.

John Drennen provided the eventual deciding run in the sixth with a solo home run off of reliever Anthony Claggett that put Akron up, 3-1.

Locke completed 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Holt led the offense for Altoona with three hits while Farrell chipped in two hits of his own. The Curve third baseman now has a five-game hitting streak and has recorded two hits in each of those five games.

The Curve (3-4) return home to Blair County Ballpark to open the home portion of the 2011 season on Thursday as they take on the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with gates opening up at 5:30 p.m. for the first game of the series.

Fans should arrive early for the Champions of Curve, PA ceremony presented by the Altoona Mirror and Envision Laser Centers. The pregame ring ceremony will celebrate the 2010 E.L. Champion Altoona Curve as well as local area champions in an on-field ceremony. The first 5,000 fans through the gates for Thursday night's game will receive a 2011 Schedule Magnet thanks to Altoona First Savings Bank.

It's also a Thirsty Thursday in Curve, PA with $2 16 oz. Bud Light specials and $1.50 small soda specials throughout the evening. The night will be capped by the first postgame fireworks show of the season. Kids can also run the bases after the game.

LHP Aaron Thompson (1-0, 1.50) will make the start in the home opener for the Curve while LHP Eric Surkamp (0-0, 0.00) throws for Richmond. Pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 6 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from April 13, 2011


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