EL1 Altoona Curve

Harrisburg Bats 'locke'd Down In 3-0 Curve Win

Published on July 16, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa - Altoona Curve left-hander Jeff Locke shut down Harrisburg hitters for five scoreless innings in his Double-A debut while Tony Watson and Derek Hankins also chipped in with four scoreless frames of relief to combine to shut out the Senators in a 3-0 Curve victory on Friday night at Metro Bank Park on City Island.

Locke, who was promoted from Bradenton (A - Advanced)on Monday afternoon, retired the first five batters he faced in his Double-A career and improved his 2010 record to 10-3 overall. The former Braves farmhand who was part of the Nate McLouth trade in June 2009 did not walk a batter, while the Conway, New Hamp. native scattered just four hits and struck out five.

Before Locke took the mound, he was already supported offensively as Gorkys Hernandez's RBI first inning RBI single plated Chase d'Arnaud who led off the game with a double. Hernandez finished the game 2-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 15 games, which is tied for fourth longest in franchise history. In the month of July, Hernandez is hitting .400 (20-for-50). Since June 1, Hernandez has raised his batting average from .231 to its current .272 mark.

Despite Locke not needing any more offense, Altoona would tack on two more runs starting in the top of the third inning with an RBI single by Josh Harrison that scored d'Arnaud to put the Curve (56-35) ahead 2-0. Altoona would add one more run in the top of the seventh when Miles Durham scored on a Chuck James wild pitch to take a 3-0 edge.

After Locke departed, Watson came on to toss three solid frames of scoreless baseball. Watson allowed just two base runners, permitting just one hit and one walk. Opponents are hitting just .180 against the southpaw in 2010.

In the ninth, Hankins allowed a leadoff double, but would retire the next three hitters to seal the win, record his fourth save of the season and solidify the fourth shutout victory for the Altoona Curve in 2010.

Altoona will look to take the lead in the four-game series in the third game Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Bryan Morris (4-4, 4.19) will take the ball for the Curve while Harrisburg (45-48) will oppose with lefty John Lannan (1-2, 4.50). Airtime on flagship radio station ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and Altoona Curve Radio Network affiliates is 6:30 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from July 16, 2010


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