Defenders hot streak ends with sweep at the hands of the Curve
Published on August 14, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
The Connecticut Defenders five game-winning streak came to a screeching halt as they dropped both ends of a double header to the Altoona Curve, 4-2 and 6-3.
In game one, the Defenders got off to a fast start against John Van Benschoten, who was making his second rehab start after being out of baseball for two years. The Defenders scored two first inning runs with a Brian Buscher RBI single highlighting the inning. Unfortunately for the Defenders those two runs would be all they would manage. For a while it seemed as though that would be all James Garcia would need, but he struggled in the 5th inning, and a two out error led to a run. The Curve eventually loaded the bases for Simon Pond who cleared them with a three run single, giving the Curve a 4-2 lead. The Defenders would not recover, as 4-2 was the final score in game one.
In game two, Jason Waddell made a spot start for the Defenders, and struggled early, allowing four runs in the first two innings, two of which were earned. The Defenders would gradually chip away at the lead, as Nate Schierholtz played a big roll. In the 3rd, a lead off Schierholtz double led to the Defenders first run. The Defenders got their second run from an unlikely source in the 4th inning when Scott Munter hit a deep ground rule double, making the score 4-2. In the 5th inning, a Schieroltz triple led to the Defenders third run, but they would get no closer, and Schierholtz would finish a home run shy of the cycle. The Curve got insurance with two 7th inning runs in a 6-3 loss.
The Defenders will meet up with the Curve again on Tuesday with right-hander Jesse Floyd (2-12) on the mound. Right-hander Wardell Starling (4-2) will make his third start against the Defenders for Altoona in the last three weeks. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Eastern League Stories from August 14, 2006
- Van Benschoten earns win in rehab start, Curve sweep doubleheader from Connecticut - Altoona Curve
- Defenders hot streak ends with sweep at the hands of the Curve - Connecticut Defenders
- Jose Vidro to Rehab in Harrisburg - Harrisburg Senators
- Cox To Pitch For Team USA, Thorp Added From Tampa - Trenton Thunder
- Van Benschoten to Make Rehab Start for Curve - Altoona Curve
- Eastern League announces weekly award winners - EL1
- Hughes named EL Pitcher of the Week - Trenton Thunder
- Ellsbury Named Eastern League Player of the Week - Portland Sea Dogs
- Senators make player moves - Harrisburg Senators
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