EL1 Altoona Curve

Nine-Run Ninth Sends 'Cats Past Curve

Published on August 18, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - In a tie, 2-2, ballgame in the ninth inning, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats exploded for nine runs on a franchise-record nine hits to blow past the Altoona Curve in the series finale on Thursday afternoon at Blair County Ballpark to win by the score of 11-2. The Curve and the Fisher Cats split their four-game series.

After working a strong eighth inning in relief, Anthony Claggett started the ninth inning for the Curve as a tie game turned into a blowout. The inning started with a leadoff walk before Claggett got the first out of the inning on a ground ball to second base. The Curve would then allow eight straight hits, including a two-run home run for Yan Gomes, to fall behind by a sizeable margin.

In the inning, Claggett allowed five runs on five hits before he was lifted for Tim Alderson who also had trouble as he allowed the final four runs on four hits. This is the second straight game where the Curve struggled in the top of the last inning as they allowed five runs in the seventh in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Nestor Molina started the game for the Fisher Cats, his second start in Double-A, and he was impressive throughout his five innings of work. Molina began the game striking out the side in the first and he would end up with nine strikeouts and just two hits allowed with no walks.

Aaron Pribanic started for the Curve and he put together his second straight seven-inning outing as he allowed runs in the second and fourth, but settled down to get through the seventh inning. Pribanic did not factor into the decision.

Down 2-0 in the sixth, Molina exited the game and Wes Etheridge came on in relief as the Curve were able to load the bases with one down against the new pitcher. With Matt Curry batting, he grounded one to the first baseman, who threw to second for one out, scoring a run, and the return throw to first went wide of the bag allowing the second run to score to tie the game at two.

The Curve had only one baserunner after the sixth and went down easily in the ninth after the Fisher Cats came up with nine runs in the top half of the inning.

The loss on Thursday completes a 4-3 homestand for the Curve as they earned a series victory against the Reading Phillies and a series split with the Fisher Cats. The Curve have gone undefeated in their last eight series dating back to a series split with New Britain on July 24th.

The Curve will now travel to Reading for a three game series and RHP Phil Irwin (6-3, 4.33) will start for Altoona in the first game on Friday night. Irwin will be opposed in game one by RHP Tyson Brummett (3-7, 4.44) for Reading. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa. with pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 6:35 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from August 18, 2011


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