EL1 Altoona Curve

Owens Masterful in Win Over Aeros

August 4, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - Southpaw Rudy Owens allowed just one hit and retired the last 17 men he faced to lead Altoona to a, 5-1, win over the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at Blair County Ballpark. Owens (9-6) allowed one run over six innings while striking out four batters and has now given up just three earned runs in his last three starts (19.0 innings pitched).

Owens allowed a first-inning home run to Akron's Jason Kipnis to give Akron an early lead but that would be it for the Aeros as no other batter in the game would reach against the starter from Mesa, Ariz.

Altoona tied the game at one in the second. Miles Durham doubled with one away and Anthony Norman walked to put two on for Yung-Chi Chen. The shortstop Chen reached on an error by his counterpart Carlos Rivero that allowed Durham to score and tie the game.

In the third, the Curve sent eight men to the plate against Aeros starter Corey Kluber (0-1), who was making his Aeros debut, and took the lead for good. Andrew Lambo drew a one-out walk and Matt Hague singled to place runners at the corners. Kris Watts followed with a double down the right field line to drive in Lambo from third and Altoona had the lead at 2-1.

Durham followed the double with a walk to load the bases for Norman, who hit a sacrifice fly out to left to score Hague from third and widen Altoona's lead to, 3-1.

Hague would bring in Altoona's fourth run of the game in the fourth with an RBI single and Josh Harrison hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to score Altoona's fifth and final run of the game.

Chase d'Arnaud had three hits in the game and has now hit safely in eight straight games for Altoona. Tom Boleska worked the final three innings for his second save in as many opportunities and did not allow a run.

Winners of four straight, Altoona (64-46) will try for the series sweep at 7 p.m. on Thursday against the Aeros (56-53) at BCB. LHP Tony Watson (3-1, 2.90) will look for his first win as a starter in 2010 for Altoona when he takes the ball on Thursday while LHP Kelvin de la Cruz (4-5, 4.73) starts for Akron.

There will be three giveaways on Thursday night for fans that attend the series finale against the Aeros at BCB. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a Brad Lincoln Logo Ball presented by Peoples Natural Gas. On their way out, fans can receive a water bottle giveaway also courtesy of Peoples Natural Gas.

Fans that are 21 and older who purchase a beer out on the party deck during Thursday night's game can take home a free pint glass as they exit the park courtesy of Furrer Beverage. As always, Thursday night will be a Weis Buy Thursday and a Thirsty Thursday in Curve, PA. Fans can receive $2 off Grandstand tickets with their Weis Preferred Shoppers' card for the game with the Aeros and there will be $2.00 16 oz. Bud Light draft specials and $1.50 22 oz. soda specials during the game.

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 visiting the box office at BCB.

Check out the Altoona Curve Statistics



Eastern League Stories from August 4, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central