Key Fifth-Inning Rally Helps Curve Even Series
Published on September 9, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Altoona used a three-run fifth inning to catapult itself to a, 6-4, win over the Harrisburg Senators in game two of the E.L. Divisional Playoff at Blair County Ballpark Thursday night. The best-of-five series is now even at a game apiece heading into Friday night's game in Harrisburg.
Altoona began the bottom of the fifth tied with the Senators after Harrisburg tied up the game at three in the top of the inning. Chase d'Arnaud led off the frame with a leadoff single and then moved to second when pitcher Adrian Alaniz (0-1) attempted to pick him off at first but the ball glanced off the glove of first baseman Chris Marrero. With d'Arnaud at second, Josh Harrison lined out to right but d'Arnaud moved up to third on the play.
After Jordy Mercer was hit by a pitch and Hague popped out, Hector Gimenez came up big for the Curve with an RBI double into right field that scored d'Arnaud and gave the lead back to Altoona at, 4-3. With Gimenez at second and Mercer at third, Harrisburg tried to intentionally walk Andrew Lambo but the first wide one from Alaniz went straight to the backstop and it allowed Mercer to score from third and Gimenez to move to third.
Lambo cashed in for the final run of the inning with an RBI double to left-center and Altoona led, 6-3. The Newbury Park, Calif. native finished the game with three RBI and two doubles.
Harrisburg climbed to within two with a run off reliever Derek Hankins (1-0) in the seventh when Jesus Valdez grounded out to bring in Josh Johnson after an RBI triple.
Daniel Moskos came in to pitch the ninth and walked the first man he faced in Johnson and then gave up a hit to Valdez to put two on with no one out. He got a big double play ball off the bat of Chris Marrero that erased two before he struck out Michael Burgess to end the ballgame.
Hankins earned the win with 3.1 innings of one-run relief while striking out three. Starter Jeff Locke worked 4.2 innings and allowed three runs but just one was earned due to two early errors by Altoona.
The deadlocked series will move to Harrisburg beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. from Metro Bank Park on City Island. Altoona sends LHP Justin Wilson (11-8, 3.09) to the hill in game three while Harrisburg counters with RHP Ryan Tatusko (3-1, 1.72) in the game three tilt.
Airtime on flagship ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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