Curve Sweep Squirrels to End Homestand
Published on April 14, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve wrapped up its season-opening homestand with a sweep of the Flying Squirrels as they doubled up Richmond, 4-2, on Wednesday night at Blair County Ballpark. Jared Hughes (2-0) struck out seven over 5.2 innings for his second win of the season while Jeff Sues notched his second save of the campaign.
By taking six of seven on the first homestand, the Curve are out to its best start since 2006 when they took six of seven from Trenton and Erie from April 6-12 at BCB.
Altoona jumped out to a, 2-0, lead with a couple of 2010 firsts in the second inning. Catcher Hector Gimenez led off the inning with the first home run of 2010 to give the Curve a, 1-0, lead but they weren't done scoring yet.
Josh Harrison doubled and moved to third on a ground out by Matt Hague to set up a scoring opportunity for Jose de los Santos. Manager Matt Walbeck put the suicide squeeze on and sent Harrison from third with de los Santos bunting. The play was executed perfectly and Harrison scored the second run of the game to put Altoona up by two.
With Altoona up 2-0 heading to the fourth, Conor Gillaspie hit his second home run of the season to cut the lead to one. After Altoona came back to add another run in the bottom of the fourth, Richmond's Brandon Crawford homered in the fifth to once again pull the Squirrels within one.
That would be the last run Richmond would plate as Hughes settled in and the bullpen came in to lock it down. Michael Dubee worked 1.1 innings and did not allow a run to score before turning it over to Sues in the eighth.
The Curve plated an insurance run in the eighth when Jim Negrych, who tripled earlier in the inning, scored on a wild pitch by Craig Whitaker.
By not allowing a run, the Curve bullpen has now pitched a total of 30.2 innings and permitted three total runs so far in 2010.
Off to a hot start, Altoona (6-1) takes to the road for its first road swing of 2010 and will start at Jerry Uht Park in Erie at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday night. The Curve will send RHP Tim Alderson (0-0, 0.00) to the mound in search of his first win while the SeaWolves counter with LHP Duane Below (0-1, 6.75). Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Altoona Curve Radio Network.
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