EL1 Altoona Curve

Ngoepe, Curve Squeeze out 3-2 Win in Series Opener with Trenton

Published on August 13, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Gift Ngoepe executed a perfect squeeze with Keon Broxton streaking down the third-base line to help the Curve walk off on the Thunder, 3-2, on a soggy Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The game, which began at 7:03 p.m., took two hours and 46 minutes but was stalled by a two hour and 18 minute rain delay.

Both teams were quick out of the gate and finished five scoreless innings before Trenton broke the deadlock in the sixth. While no team had scored a run, all three members of the Curve with significant hitting streaks were able to extend those streaks on Tuesday night. Elias Diaz ran his team-best streak to 15 games with a single in the second, Alen Hanson extended his to 11 games with a single in the first and Josh Bell ran his to six games with a single in the fourth.

It was Tyler Austin of Trenton who started the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the sixth but the Curve were primed to respond in the bottom half.

Hanson doubled to start the frame and then stole third while Drew Maggi was at the plate. The rains came and sent the game into a delay that could have ended the night and forced the game to be played on Wednesday. However, play would resume after 2:18 and when it did the Curve were able to take the lead.

Jacob Lindgren came in to restart the game for the Thunder and he issued a pair of walks to start his night. He got Stetson Allie to hit into a fielder's choice that erased Hanson at home. However, with the bases still loaded Lindgren walked Diaz to walk in a run and tie the game. Willy Garcia struck out but Broxton hammered a single to right to bring home Bell to give the Curve the lead.

Trenton tied it with an unearned run off Joely Rodriguez in the seventh and neither team would score again until the ninth. Broxton led off the ninth with a hustle double, moved to third on Jarek Cunningham's sac bunt, and scored on the all-or-nothing squeeze to win the game.

Broxton and Hanson each finished the game 2-for-4. In addition to Diaz's 15-game hit streak, which is six shy of the franchise-best of 21, the Venezuelan native is also riding a 17 game on-base streak.

Lost in the rain delay was the solid start by Zack Dodson, who allowed just one run in six innings for his fifth quality start of the season (and third in his last four games). Collin Balester (1-1) pitched the final two innings for the win.

The Curve (53-70) continue the short homestand with Trenton (59-64) at 7 p.m. Wednesday night from Peoples Natural Gas Field. It's UPMC Health Plan Member Appreciation Night at the ballpark on Wednesday where those who received a postcard in the mail from UPMC Health Plan can redeem it for tickets to Wednesday night's game. It's also a Four Pack Wednesday presented by WALY 103.9 with four tickets, four hot dogs and four regular sodas for $35.

M&T Bank cardholders should show their M&T Bank cards when purchasing tickets on Wednesday to receive $2 off the ticket price on an M&T Bank Customer Appreciation Wednesday.

On the hill for the Curve on Wednesday will be LHP Jhonathan Ramos (4-5, 4.26), who was stellar in his last outing with six one-hit innings versus Trenton. He'll be opposed by Thunder RHP Jairo Heredia (4-1, 3.48).

Gates open at 6 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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Eastern League Stories from August 13, 2014


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