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EL1 Altoona Curve

Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short in One-Run Loss to Thunder

August 11, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. -Altoona's ninth-inning rally fell a run shy on Wednesday night as the Thunder edged the Curve, 3-2, at Blair County Ballpark. Altoona, which didn't have a runner reach third base in any of the first eight innings, got a two-out, two-run homer from Hector Gimenez in the ninth but Anthony Norman grounded out to short to end the game.

Jim Negrych walked with one away in the ninth and Miles Durham popped out for the second out before Gimenez hit the home run. It was the 15th home run of the season for Gimenez and it also extended his hitting streak to nine games.

The scoring began in the first inning with one away when Trenton's Justin Christian hit a solo homer to left field that gave the Thunder an early, 1-0, lead. Later in the inning, Marcos Vechionacci singled in Corban Joseph to run Trenton's advantage to, 2-0.

Curve starter Tony Watson settled down in the second to retire the side in order and retired the first two batters in the third before Austin Romine singled. Vechionacci followed with a high fly ball to right that Miles Durham lost in the lights and it went over his head to allow Romine to score the Trenton's third and final run.

Watson (4-2) was locked in after the Vechionacci triple, retiring the final 10 men he faced in the game before leaving after six. All told, the lefty allowed three runs on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Anthony Claggett and Michael Dubee worked the final three innings for Altoona and did not allow a run.

The Curve's best scoring threat prior to the ninth came trailing, 3-0, in the eighth when Chase d'Arnaud walked and Andrew Lambo extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single. Matt Hague came to the plate representing the tying run but he flew out to center to end the inning and the threat.

Negrych had a two-hit night and reached base three times in the loss. With the win, Trenton has now secured a series victory in all three series this season.

Having dropped three in a row and four of its last five, Altoona (66-50) will try and salvage the final game of the series with Trenton (70-47) on Thursday night at BCB. Altoona sends LHP Jeff Locke (1-1, 3.54) to the hill in his first home start since being promoted to Double-A Altoona while Trenton will throw Adam Warren (3-2, 3.76) looking for the sweep.

It's a Thirsty Thursday and a Weis Buy Thursday in Curve, PA. Fans that bring their Weis Preferred Shoppers Card to the box office can get $2 off Grandstand tickets to Thursday night's game. During the game, 16 oz. Miller Lite drafts will be on special for $2 while 22 oz. fountain sodas will be $1.50.

Pregame radio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on flagship ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network. Great seats are still available for Thursday night's game by calling 877.99.CURVE, visiting www.AltoonaCurve.com or by stopping in to the box office at BCB.

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Eastern League Stories from August 11, 2010


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