EL1 Altoona Curve

Early Roneberg homer lifts Curve to 4-2 victory

Published on August 30, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA, PA - One night after Akron was crowned Southern Division Champs, it was the Curve's turn to celebrate, as they defeated the Aeros, 4-2, on Wednesday to claim their fourth straight trip to the Eastern League playoffs.

The Curve entered the game with a magic number of two to reach the post-season and when third-place Reading lost to New Britain in the first game of a twinbill, the Curve only had to win to punch their playoff ticket.

They would score all the runs they needed in the first inning when Brett Roneberg blasted a three-run home run to give the Curve a lead they would not surrender. Neil Walker returned from the Disabled List to score on a Javier Guzman RBI single to give the Curve a four-run advantage in the bottom of the fourth.

The Aeros would chip away with two runs in the fifth frame, but would reach base only three times in the final four innings and never advance a runner past first base.

Wardell Starling earned the victory for the Curve, after allowing two runs over five innings with two strikeouts.

Brandon Knight nailed down his league-leading 27th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning and combined with Jorge Vasquez and Blaine Neal to hold the Aeros hitless after the fifth inning.

Akron starter Jensen Lewis, allowed all four Curve runs in five innings pitched and fell to 1-2 on the season. Reliever "Bear" Bay came on to pitch the final three frames and struck out six batters to keep the Aeros in striking distance.

The Curve will enter the 2006 post-season as the wild card team from the Southern Division and play a best-of-five series against Akron beginning on Wednesday, September 6 at Canal Park for the right to play in the league championship series.

Altoona will host Game Three at Blair County Ballpark on Friday, September 8, and, if necessary, Game Four on Saturday night. If a fifth and deciding game is needed, the game would take place next Sunday in Akron.

The two teams conclude their regular-season series with a 7:05 game on Thursday night at Blair County Ballpark. Jason Roach will start for the Curve against the Aeros' Adam Miller, the 2006 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year.

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Eastern League Stories from August 30, 2006


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