McLouth comes up big in 5-4 win over New Britain
May 28, 2004 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
(ALTOONA, PA)- Nate McLouth knocked in Chris Duffy with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Altoona Curve past the New Britain Rock Cats, 5-4, in the opener of a four-game series Friday night at Blair County Ballpark.
McLouth, who entered the week on a 6-for-53 slide that dropped his season average from .322 to .252, continued his climb out of the slump by going 3-for-5 and knocking in three of the Curve's five runs.
The game seemed destined to go to extra innings tied at 4-4 after New Britain reliever Bobby Korecky retired the first two Curve hitters of the bottom of the ninth. However, Duffy singled to center and then stole second base to move into scoring position. McLouth then deposited a 2-2 fastball into rightfield allowing Duffy to race around third and beat the throw from Rock Cats' right-fielder Kevin West for the winning run.
Blake Stein (3-1) tossed two shutout innings in relief of starter Ian Snell to earn the win. Snell earned his third straight no-decision after failing to hold a 4-1 lead. The right-hander went seven innings and allowed four runs--all earned--on seven hits, walked two and struck out six.
The Curve jumped past the Rock Cats by scoring four runs in the bottom of the third on two-run singles off the bats of McLouth and Ronny Paulino against starter Scott Baker.
New Britain got back in the game with a run in the top of fourth and then two in the seventh against Snell to even the count at 4-4.
The win, coupled with a loss by first-place Erie, moves the Curve (26-21) to within 2 1/2 games of the top spot in the Eastern League's Southern Division. New Britain dropped to 21-25 with the loss.
Altoona and New Britain will continue their four-game set Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. The Curve will send right-hander Landon Jacobsen (1-2, 6.43) to the mound to oppose Rock Cats' righty Jim Abbott (0-4, 5.71).
Eastern League Stories from May 28, 2004
- Baysox strike early, beat Phillies 12-4 - Chesapeake Baysox
- McLouth comes up big in 5-4 win over New Britain - Altoona Curve
- Portland Parlays 4-run 8th into 6-3 Victory over Fisher Cats - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Fisher Cats salute Jell-O - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Three More Players Join Senators - Harrisburg Senators
- Clapp moves up - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Curve announce roster moves - Altoona Curve
- Sea Dogs News & Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
