Garrett's Heroics Left Curve Past Reading in Extra Innings
Published on May 2, 2003 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
(READING, PA)- Shawn Garrett went 3-for-5 with a pair home runs, including a go-ahead solo shot in the top of the 11th inning, to lift the Curve to a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Reading Phillies on Friday night at First Energy Stadium in Reading.
Garrett also became the first player in Curve history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game. His 400-plus foot blast to centerfield in the 11th came from the right side of the plate, while an earlier two-run shot to rightfield was hit left-handed.
He also set the table for the Curve's comeback in the top of the ninth inning when, trailing 4-3, he led off the frame with a single to right. After stealing second and then taking third on a successful two-strike sacrifice bunt by Ray Navarrete, he trotted home from third on a Josh Bonifay base hit to right that tied the game and sent it to extra frames.
Bonifay, the other hitting star for the Curve, also hit a solo homer as part of a three-run Curve fourth inning that sliced into a 4-0 Reading lead. Bonifay has now homered in three consecutive games and is 7-for-12 with three homers and seven RBI during that span.
The earlier of Garrett's two homers, a two-run shot off of Reading starter Seung Lee, preceded Bonifay's blast. Garrett had entered the game mired in a 3-for-28 slump, which extended to his other two-homer game of the season on April 21st at Erie.
Left-hander Mike Johnston (2-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn his second win of the season. The left-hander got out of a jam in the bottom of the tenth when he struck out both Jorge Padilla and Aaron McNeal with the winning run at second base.
Todd Ozias pitched a scoreless bottom of the 11th to earn his team-leading fifth save of the season, and his third save in four games.
Right-hander Ben Shaffar started for the Curve and was taken off the hook for the loss thanks to the Curve's ninth inning comeback. Shaffar went six innings allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits, walking three and fanning two in taking a no-decision.
The win keeps the Curve (14-12) perfect at 4-0 on its current nine-game road trip, after having swept a three-game series from the Bowie Baysox Tuesday through Thursday. Overall, Altoona has won seven of its last eight road games and on the season is 9-7 away from Blair County Ballpark.
The Curve has also now won seven consecutive games against the rival R-Phils after having dropped the first two games of the season on April 3rd and 4th at First Energy Stadium.
Saturday, the Curve and Phillies will play game two of their three-game weekend series with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Left-hander Sean Burnett (2-2, 2.77) takes the mound for Altoona. Right-hander Mike Wilson (0-2, 2.86) will provide the opposition.
Eastern League Stories from May 2, 2003
- Garrett's Heroics Left Curve Past Reading in Extra Innings - Altoona Curve
- Bonifay's Bat Carries Curve Past Bowie - Altoona Curve
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