Curve Win Back-And-Forth Battle With Erie 6-5
May 1, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - After a nearly two-hour rain delay, the Altoona Curve overcame a late deficit with two runs in the eighth inning to top the Erie SeaWolves, 6-5, in what was a back-and-forth contest at Blair County Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.
Despite the delay, the bats were ready to go in the first inning as Curve (11-11) starter Aaron Thompson allowed the first two batters of the game to reach before a double by Rawley Bishop gave the SeaWolves (10-12) an early 2-0 lead.
The Curve would get both of those runs back in the bottom of the inning as Brock Holt led off the game with a triple and he was then knocked in by Starling Marte who singled. The Curve then tied it off âWolves starter L.J. Gagnier as Jordy Mercer hit a deep fly ball to center which was dropped, scoring Marte from first. Mercer was thrown out trying to reach third on the play.
Thompson would then settle down after his first inning struggles, but Gagnier wouldn't, as Brad Chalk reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and was brought home on another RBI single by Marte to give the Curve a 3-2 lead in the second.
Erie responded in the fourth on a two-base wild pitch to tie the ballgame, but Gagnier, in the bottom half of the inning, hit his third batter of the game and was ejected by the home plate umpire. SeaWolves manager Chris Cron was also ejected shortly thereafter. Jared Gayhart was brought on in relief and worked scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth.
In the sixth inning, the Curve regained the lead as Miles Durham led off with a base hit, was sacrificed to second and then scored on a single by Holt.
Thompson went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and did not factor into the decision as Anthony Claggett was brought in to the 4-3 game in the seventh and he worked a scoreless frame. However, in the eighth, Michael Dubee was brought on and the lead would change hands again.
After a strikeout and a groundout to start the inning, Dubee then struck out Francisco Martinez, but the batter would reach on a wild pitch. So, with the inning extended, Justin Henry walked and Shawn Roof slapped a double down the line in left to plate both runners to take a 5-4 advantage.
Much like in the first inning, the Curve had an answer for the SeaWolves in the eighth as Austin Wood, starting his second inning of work, allowed a leadoff walk to Tony Sanchez before he was lifted in favor of the closer Chance Ruffin. Ruffin (1-2) saw Durham sacrifice Sanchez to second and he remained there after a groundout to third. With two-down, Chalk doubled down the line in left, scoring Sanchez, and tying the ballgame up. Holt, the next hitter, put one on the ground to the hole at short and legged out an infield single, but on the throw, Chalk was able to score from second to give the Curve the lead 6-5.
Dubee (1-1) stayed on in the ninth inning and worked the final three outs of the game to earn his first win of the season.
The Curve take two-of-three from the SeaWolves and have earned their second series win of the season, both of which came at home.
With the win, the Curve are back to an even record at 11-11 and have alternated wins and losses for their last 19 games. The Curve also advance their home record to 5-3 on the season.
The Curve will look to get their next series started on the right note as RHP Jared Hughes (0-1) will take to the hill on Monday at 6:30 p.m. against the Akron Aeros. Fans can check the Altoona Mirror for a money-saving coupon to the game as it is a Mirror Monday at Blair County Ballpark.
Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. Great seats for the ballgame are still available by calling the Curve at 877.99.Curve or by visiting the official website of the Curve www.AltoonaCurve.com. Pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 6 p.m.
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