Duffy's Big Night Nullified In 5-3 Loss
July 6, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - The Curve got behind early and were unable to come back against the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday night at Blair County Ballpark. Harrisburg grabbed their sixth win against Altoona in seven games with a 5-3 victory.
The Curve's valiant attempt to draw even fell short on Sunday despite Chris Duffy's strong performance. Duffy, who played his first game in a Curve uniform after officially being optioned to Altoona by the Pirates, was a home run away from hitting for the cycle in Sunday's loss. Duffy went 3-for-4 on the evening with a run scored and an RBI. Starter Derek Hankins (1-6) suffered the loss after he allowed four runs - only two of which were earned -- over five innings of work. Hankins struck out five batters in a bid for his first win since June 10.
Hankins allowed a three-spot in the first inning. A solo homer by William Bergolla, a double-steal followed by an RBI single put Harrisburg up 3-0.
The Curve grabbed a single run in the bottom of the first inning to cut into the Harrisburg lead. After Senators starter Justin Jones was removed after he tossed just 2/3 innings, Steve Lerud drew a bases loaded walk off reliever Mike Hinckley to make the score 3-1.
Hinckley did fantastic work out of the Harrisburg bullpen as the lefty threw 5 2/3 solid innings. Hinckley allowed just two runs over that time and struck out five batters and scattered four hits.
After Harrisburg grabbed another insurance run in the top of the sixth inning to take a 5-1 lead, the Curve surged for a pair of runs to draw within two. Off of Hinckley, Duffy's sacrifice fly to center field brought home Luis Cruz, while Melvin Dorta's pinch-hit RBI single scored Jason Bowers to bring the score to 5-3.
That's as close as the Curve would get. Harrisburg's Steve Schmoll tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, while Adam Carr threw up a zero in the ninth inning to notch his fourth save for Harrisburg.
The Curve will look to even the series on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Yoslan Herrera (5-7, 2.87) will get the ball for the Curve while the Harrisburg Senators send righty Craig Stammen (0-1, 2.45) to the stump.
On Monday, fans will be treated to the most wretched, putrid and hideous night in all of professional sports. Awful Night VI - The Worseest Ever is set to take place at BCB. Fans looking for the awfully awful experience can get their tickets online at AltoonaCurve.com, over the phone at 877-99-CURVE or in person at the BCB box office.
NOTES - The Curve are 2-5 over seven games of the current eight game homestand...Jason Delaney went 1-for-4 on Sunday and extended his hitting stream to a season-high eight games (.387, 12-for-31)...The start of Sunday's game was delayed exactly one hour because of rain.
Eastern League Stories from July 6, 2008
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- Senators Hang On For 5-3 Win Over Altoona - Harrisburg Senators
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- New Hampshire Snaps Losing Streak With 6-1 Win Over Trenton - Trenton Thunder
- Aeros Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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