Curve win opener against Aeros
June 30, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - The Curve flexed their offensive muscles Friday night, in a 6-3 series opening win against the Akron Aeros at Blair County Ballpark. Newly acquired shortstop Brian Bixler sparked the Curve offense in the third inning with a three-run jack to left field. The win over the first-place Aeros drew the Curve to within 3 ½ games of the top spot in the division.
Bixler, who was called up with outfielder Nyjer Morgan from Single-A Lynchburg on Thursday, drove a 2-2 fastball over the left-field wall to give the Curve a 3-1 lead. The 23-year old was the Pirates' second round selection in the 2004 draft.
Starter Matt Peterson recorded the win for Altoona, his fifth on the year. The right hander threw six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. His only blemish came in the second inning after walking the first three batters, allowing Bowie first baseman Ryan Mulhern to score. The 24-year-old quickly removed himself from trouble after that, forcing Akron catcher Wyatt Toregas to ground into the 1-6-3 double play.
Ray Sadler gave the Curve some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run home run of his own to left-center. His team-high tenth home run of the year gave the Curve a 6-1 lead from which they would never look back.
Bowie starter Bear Bay suffered his sixth loss of the season after giving up six earned runs in six innings pitched. The right-hander walked two batters, striking out six.
The Aeros attempted a late-inning comeback, but fell short after rallying for two runs in the seventh off of reliever Jorge Vasquez. Akron struggled at the plate all night, stranding ten men on base compared to two for Altoona.
Brandon Knight picked up his team-high 14th save of the season after pitching 1 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball. Knight was called into action in the eighth with runners on first and second and quickly struck out the first two batters he faced. Knight shut down Akron in the ninth to preserve the win.
Vic Buttler wasted no time picking up his league-leading 14th triple of the year. Buttler drove a ball to the wall in right-center field in the first inning and finished the day 1-for-4.
Altoona and Akron will continue their weekend series tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m. Wardell Starling (1-0, 4.50) will make his third start for the Curve against Akron right-hander Adam Miller. A fantastic FIREWORKS show will immediately follow the contest so be sure to pick up your tickets now by calling 877-99-CURVE, visiting the box office.
Eastern League Stories from June 30, 2006
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- Thunder Rally For 7-6 Win In Portland - Trenton Thunder
- Curve win opener against Aeros - Altoona Curve
- B-Mets Use Big First Inning To Defeat New Hampshire 8-5 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Miller activated, Chiaravalloti and Schneider head to DL - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Kratz back with Fisher Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Baysox continue hot hitting, down Curve 6-3 Thursday - Chesapeake Baysox
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