Curve win streak ends with 3-2 loss at Trenton
April 14, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
The Altoona Curve looked to tie a franchise record with their fifth straight road win Wednesday night at Trenton. However, Gabe Lopez and the Thunder had other ideas. Lopez went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI as the Thunder defeated the Curve, 3-2, at Waterfront Park. Despite the loss, the Curve finished the season-opening trip with a 4-2 record.
With the Curve leading 2-0 entering the third inning, Curve starter Matt Peterson (0-1) allowed a leadoff walk to JT Stotts. Lopez, inserted into the lead off spot to try and get the Thunder offense on track, responded by hitting a two-run homer--his first of the season--to tie the game at two. The two runs were the first allowed by a Curve starter in 19 2/3 innings, dating back to Saturday at Reading.
Three batters later, Shelly Duncan, who moved from fifth in the batting order into the clean up spot for the game, provided the eventual game-winner with his first home run of the season.
Peterson yielded just those three runs in three innings of work to suffer the loss. The right-hander walked three more batters, raising his total number of free passes to seven--against just one strikeout--in his first four innings of work this season.
Thunder starter, Jeff Karstens (2-0) held the powerful Curve offense to just four hits over his five innings of work to pick up his second win.
The four Curve hits off Karstens all came in the third inning. After back-to-back singles by Carlos Maldonado and Victor Mercedes, Karstens retired Rajai Davis. Vic Buttler then put a ball down the line that stayed in fair territory to load the bases. Jorge Cortes then produced a run-scoring single bringing home Maldonado and Mercedes. Cortes tied Brad Eldred for the team lead with seven RBI, and gave the Curve a short lived 2-0 lead.
The Curve bullpen came on to hold the Thunder scoreless over the final five innings. Shane Youman went three innings giving up just one hit, while striking out three. James Johnson pitched two scoreless innings, giving up two hits while striking out five Thunder hitters.
The Curve returns home to begin a week-long seven-game homestand with games against the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) and Akron Aeros (Cleveland Indians). Paul Maholm (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will start the home opener for the Curve Thursday night at 6:35 PM. He will be opposed by Jeremy Johnson (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Ballpark gates will open to the public at 5:00.
Eastern League Stories from April 14, 2005
- Fisher Cats win again, beat Binghamton 6-2 - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Fisher Cats Add Tablado to Roster - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Sea Dogs Announce Make-Up Date - Portland Sea Dogs
- Curve win streak ends with 3-2 loss at Trenton - Altoona Curve
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