Curve Walk Off, Literally, on Akron with 2-1 Win
Published on August 29, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Third baseman Stefan Welch drew a bases-loaded walk with one down in the ninth to give Altoona the walk-off win, 2-1, over the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve never led all night until Welch walked in the winning run in the ninth inning. Altoona claimed victory in the ballgame despite being outhit 14-7 on Wednesday night.
The Curve didn't put a run on the scoreboard until the eighth when Welch singled in Adalberto Santos from second to tie it at one. Altoona actually had a couple of opportunities to try and go ahead in the eighth but could not prevail in the frame against Trey Haley (3-1).
Altoona did get its break in the ninth, though, because of a watchful eye at the plate. Haley walked Andrew Lambo and Matt Curry back-to-back to put two on with no one out. Oscar Tejeda couldn't get the bunt down initially and then struck out for the inning's first out. After Santos singled into left, the bases were loaded for Welch, who worked a 3-2 count before drawing the game-ending free pass.
Tim Alderson (5-4) grabs the win in relief for Altoona with two scoreless frames late following a second-straight quality start by Curve starter Brandon Cumpton. Cumpton was tremendous on Wednesday as he evaded danger all night while holding Akron to just one run despite 11 hits allowed in seven innings of work. Akron finished the night 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left a total of 10 men on the bases.
Aeros starter Paolo Espino lasted a bit longer than Cumpton, going 7.1 innings before allowing a run on five hits with one walk.
Despite only having seven hits, Altoona's Gustavo Nunez, Santos and Welch all had multi-hit games in the win.
With a winning homestand now secured, the Curve (67-70) now have a chance at a series victory if they can pull off a win over the Akron Aeros (79-58) in the 7 p.m. home finale at Peoples Natural Gas Field. A spectacular postgame fireworks display presented by L.R. Webber Associates will bring the 2012 home schedule to a close on Thursday night along with the final Thirsty Thursday TM presented by Rocky 104.9. Fans can get $2 16oz. Bud Lights on special for the final Thirsty Thursday TM along with half-priced regular sodas.
Thursday marks the last edition of the Curve's 2012 Summer Cruise Series presented by Nittany Travel with the first 500 fans ages 21 and over receiving a toy stock car courtesy of Furrer Beverage in tribute to the Tom Cruise classic Days of Thunder. Fans that have collected all three giveaway items from the different Summer Cruise Series nights throughout the season and those fans who are one of the first 500 to get the Toy Car on Thursday must present them all to receive entry into the Cruise Giveaway contest. After the entries have been gathered, one (1) cruise for two to the Caribbean will be given away thanks to Nittany Travel. The Curve will also dedicate the last night of the season to helping find a cure for a debilitating disease with Fund a Cure for Pancreatic Cancer Night with the Griffith Family Foundation.
Taking the mound for Altoona in the last game in Curve, Pa. this season will be LHP Kris Johnson (2-2, 2.29), who threw seven shutout innings in his last start versus Richmond. He'll be opposed on the mound by LHP T.J. House (8-4, 3.74) for Akron in the final meeting between the two teams this season.
Gates will swing open at 6 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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