Open Sesame: Curve Win Road Opener, 1-0
Published on April 9, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
HARRISBURG - For the first time in franchise history, the Altoona Curve opened the season on the road with a win, downing the Harrisburg Senators, 1-0, on Thursday night at Metro Bank Park. Willy Garcia drove in the game's only run in the top of the ninth to put the Curve in the win column.
With the game scoreless entering the ninth, Keon Broxton worked a walk to start the inning off the new 'Sens pitcher Abel de los Santos (0-1). Sebastian Valle followed with a perfect sac bunt to put Broxton in scoring position with one away. Josh Bell, who was 1-for-2 at the plate already, was intentionally walked to setup the force play. It backfired, however, as Garcia stroked a single to left and Broxton had the go sign from skipper Tom Prince at third all the way. He scored without a throw from Kevin Keyes, who dropped the ball while revving up to throw home.
That was all the Curve needed as Yhonathan Barrios shut the door in the ninth, working around a one-out walk with some solid pitching and a great defensive play by Gift Ngoepe to end the game.
Angel Sanchez started the game for the Curve and did not allow a hit through his first four innings before allowing back-to-back singles to start the fifth. He finished six scoreless and struck out three in his first start of the season. It's the longest scoreless outing by a Curve pitcher in a season-opening game in team history. Monday night's starter Zack Dodson tossed a scoreless frame to bridge the gap to Tom Harlan (1-0).
Five of the eight Curve position players had a hit in the win on Thursday night for the Curve. With the win, the Curve are over .500 for the first time since April 11, 2013 when they were 4-3 after a defeat of these same Harrisburg Senators. Tonight's win was also the fourth all-time for the Curve on Opening Day vs. Harrisburg and they remain perfect at 4-0.
Rehabbing Pirates catcher Chris Stewart was 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk and caught seven innings of Thursday night's game.
The Curve (1-0) will send RHP Jason Creasy to the mound to make his Double-A debut on Friday night in the second game of the four-game set with Harrisburg (0-1). He'll be opposed by 'Sens righty Joe Ross. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
Altoona returns home on Thursday, April 16 for its home opener with Akron at 6 p.m. with a special gate time of 4 p.m. For tickets and more information on the opening homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office at PNG Field.
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