EL1 Altoona Curve

Mercer's Single Lifts Curve to Victory over Sea Dogs

Published on June 22, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Jordy Mercer's RBI single through the left side in the bottom of the eighth inning brought in Josh Harrison to break a, 1-1, tie and lead the Curve to a, 2-1, victory over the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday night at Blair County Ballpark. Dustin Molleken (3-3) earned the win in relief while Daniel Moskos added to his league-leading save total with his 17th save of the season.

Harrison and Matt Hague both singled to start the inning before Mercer cashed in with the RBI single. Hector Gimenez singled off the new Sea Dogs pitcher Bryce Cox to load the bases but Alex Presley grounded into a double play that cut down Hague at the plate and then himself on the back end at first. Miles Durham struck out to end the inning but the one-run would be enough for Moskos in the ninth.

Molleken and the Curve dodged a bullet in the top of the eighth with the game tied at one when Anthony Rizzo walked to start the inning and Ryan Khoury reached on a Chase d'Arnaud error to put the go-ahead run at second. Chih-Hsien Chiang bounced into a double play and Juan Apodaca struck out swinging to end the inning and the Sea Dogs threat.

Altoona starter Rudy Owens pitched brilliantly on Tuesday night, at one time retiring 12 Sea Dogs batters in a row early in the game, with his lone mistake being the solo home run he allowed to Luis Exposito to tie the game in the seventh. He finished seven innings for the second time this season and he allowed the one run on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

d'Arnaud hit his first Double-A home run in the third inning off starter Alex Wilson to give Altoona the,1 -0, lead until the home run by Exposito in the seventh. With the home run, d'Arnaud was able to extend his season-best hitting streak to 10 games.

The Curve (46-24), a season-best 22 games over .500, will look to secure a series win over the Sea Dogs (36-33) in the second game of the series at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at BCB. RHP Bryan Morris (3-2, 4.22) takes the hill for Altoona looking to rebound from a rough start in Trenton while RHP Jeremy Kehrt (1-2, 2.08) throws for the Sea Dogs.

Wednesday night's game features a special mid-week postgame fireworks show along with Wacky Wednesday - Condiment Wars and Cresson Community Night. Radio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on flagship ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Altoona Curve Radio Network.

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Eastern League Stories from June 22, 2010


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