Izquierdo gem leads Curve to fourth straight win
Published on April 12, 2005 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
Hansel Izquierdo allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings to continue a solid stretch of work by the Curve starting rotation and lead Altoona to a 7-0 win over the Trenton Thunder Tuesday night at Waterfront Park.
Dating back four games, Curve starting pitchers have combined to toss 17 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. In addition to Izquierdo's gem Tuesday night, the Curve got five-scoreless-inning efforts from Mike Connolly Monday against Trenton and Paul Stewart Sunday afternoon at Reading.
After Izquierdo (1-0) stranded a runner at third base in the bottom of the first inning, the 28-year old veteran was not threatened again by the Trenton offense over his six innings on the mound. The right-hander allowed just three hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter in recording his first win in a Curve uniform. Reliever Landon Jacobsen completed the five-hit shutout, tossing three scoreless innings to earn his first career save.
The Curve offense benefited throughout the game from Trenton's shoddy play in the field. The Thunder committed four errors, leading to four unearned runs. Altoona took a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning when Thunder outfielder Kevin Thompson dropped a Brad Eldred fly ball to the warning track, then in the ninth, the Curve added four insurance runs thanks in part to shortstop Jared Koutnik misplaying a routine infield popup that allowed three runs to score.
Vic Buttler recorded the Curve's lone multi-hit game and scored twice as Altoona won its fourth consecutive game to match the best start in franchise history (4-1). Buttler is the only Altoona player to reach base safely in the first five games of the season. Jose Bautista also scored twice in the contest.
Steven White (0-2), the Yankees' 4th-rated prospect entering this season by Baseball America, dropped his second straight decision despite pitching well. The right-hander allowed two runsâone earnedâin six innings of work.
Altoona will look for the series sweep Wednesday night at 7:05 PM with right-hander Matt Peterson (0-0, 36.00) on the mound against Trenton right-hander Jeff Karstens (1-0, 0.00).
Eastern League Stories from April 12, 2005
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