Hill Dominates Akron In 3-1 Curve Win Tuesday Night
Published on May 6, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
AKRON, OH- Curve starter Josh Hill tossed six scoreless innings and struck out eight hitters to lead the Altoona Curve to a 3-1 win over the Akron Aeros Tuesday night at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.
The Australian-born Hill (3-2) kept the Aeros lineup off balance during his six innings of work, recording called third strikes on six of the Akron hitters. His eight strikeouts are the most by any Curve pitcher this season.
Altoona managed just enough offense to earn Hill his third win. The Curve scored their first run of the game against Akron starter Chuck Lofgren in the top of the fifth inning when Luis Cruz singled home Jason Delaney. Cruz started the game despite playing with a badly-bruised left foot, which was injured when he was hit by a foul ball in the sixth inning of Monday's game.
Lofgren (1-3) was hung with the loss despite allowing only one run over seven innings. The 22-year old left-hander, who is regarded as one of the Cleveland Indians' top pitching prospects, struck out seven Curve batters.
The Curve padded their lead to 3-0 in the top of the eighth on Anthony Webster's two-run single to center field, which brought home Brian Finegan and Jonel Pacheco.
Altoona's bullpen, which was torched for eight runs in Monday's 9-4 loss to the Aeros, managed to hold the lead over the final three innings. Lefty Josh Shortslef pitched the seventh and eighth innings and limited Akron to just one run in the bottom of the eighth after the Aeros loaded the bases in the frame. Chris Hernandez pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his second save of the season and the Curve's first since an April 16 win at Trenton. Hernandez struck out the final two batters to close out the win.
Finegan (2-for-5) and Webster (2-for-4) recorded the Curve's only multi-hit games in the win. Brad Corley went hitless in his four at-bats, stopping his team season-high hitting streak at 12 games. Delaney went 1-for-2 and drew two walks to extend his on-base streak to 18 games.
Altoona and Akron will continue their four-game set Wednesday evening at Canal Park. Left-handers Corey Hamman (0-4, 5.28) of the Curve and David Huff (1-1, 2.78) of the Aeros will square off in the mound matchup. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Radio airtime will be 6:50 p.m. on flagship radio station Real Oldies 93.5 FM and the Curve Radio Network.
The Curve will return to Blair County Ballpark next Tuesday for a brief three-day homestand against the Akron Aeros. Great seats remain for each game on the homestand and can be purchased by visiting the BCB Ticket Office, by calling (877) 99-CURVE or by clicking one of the "BUY TICKETS" links at AltoonaCurve.com.
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