Fisher Cats come from behind to win Game 1 in extras, 11-6
June 3, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - It took extra innings but the Altoona Curve dropped game one of the doubleheader, 11-6, to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Saturday evening at Blair County Ballpark.
A five-run lead wasn't enough for the Curve as the Fisher Cats scored five times in the sixth to force extra frames and five more in the eight to seal the victory. The loss marked the first time Altoona has dropped four games in a row all season.
New Hampshire broke the 6-6 deadlock with ease, scoring five times in the top of the eighth to put the game out of reach. After Tony Miller scored the go-ahead run on a Brant Ust throwing error at the plate, New Hampshire first baseman Vito Chiaravalloti hit a three-run homerun to put the Fisher Cats comfortably in front.
The Curve appeared to be in control after scoring three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, building themselves a sizeable 6-1 lead. That lead quickly diminished however, as the Fisher Cats clawed their way back into the game with a five-run sixth inning led by third baseman Eric Arnold, who smashed a two run shot over the stands in left-center field. The Cats sent ten batters to the plate that inning, scoring five times on five hits, three of which were for extra bases.
Starter Mike Connolly glided through the first five innings and appeared well on his way to his sixth victory when New Hampshire tagged him for four runs in the sixth. The southpaw tied his season high with seven strikeouts in 5 -1/3 innings pitched allowing four runs on six hits. The start was his 71st in a Curve uniform, breaking the old record of 70 set by ex-Curve hurler John Grabow.
Rodney Ormond (2-3) picked up the victory for the Fisher Cats after pitching the final five outs. Jorge Vasquez (1-2) got the loss after pitching the eighth and allowing five runs on three hits.
Brandon Knight had his streak of 20 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings pitched broke when he allowed two Fisher Cats to cross the plate in the sixth. Knight, who previously had not allowed a run to score in his last 12 outings, settled down to finish the sixth and pitch a scoreless seventh.
Simon Pond went 2-for-3 for the Curve and scored two runs in the losing effort. Brett Roneberg, Ray Sadler, Craig Stansberry and Parrish also drove in runs for Altoona.
Chris Rojas (0-0) will try to earn the split in the twinbill for the Curve against New Hampshire lefty Davis Romero (5-4).
Eastern League Stories from June 3, 2006
- Fisher Cats Sweep Doubleheader, Extend Win Streak To Six - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Fisher Cats sweep Curve in doubleheader - Altoona Curve
- Three-Run 12th Propels Harrisburg To Victory - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder fall to Reading - Trenton Thunder
- Fisher Cats come from behind to win Game 1 in extras, 11-6 - Altoona Curve
- Redman Arrives and Chavez Goes - Harrisburg Senators
- 2006 EL All-Star fan balloting underway - Altoona Curve
- Jova sent to Triple-A Syracuse - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
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