Philthy Phil Baffles Phils In Curve Win
Published on July 27, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
Win: Phil Irwin (4-3)
Loss: Tyson Brummett (2-5)
Save: Noah Krol (16)
TOG: 2:15
Attendance: 5,014
READING, Pa. - Phil Irwin (4-3) followed up Aaron Pribanic's seven-inning performance from Tuesday night with a 6.2-inning performance on Wednesday night as he led Altoona to a series-clinching, 3-2, win over the R-Phils at FirstEnergy Stadium. It's the first series win for Altoona since they took two-of-three from the New Britain Rock Cats June 14-16 at Blair County Ballpark.
Starling Marte was hit by a pitch by starter Tyson Brummett (2-5) to start the game in the first and he eventually came around to score when Josh Rodriguez reached on an error by third baseman Carlos Rivero.
Altoona added its second run in the second when Yunesky Sanchez came through with a one-out RBI groundout that brought Quincy Latimore in after he doubled to start the inning. After 1.5, it was 2-0, Curve.
Irwin gave up a one-out single in the first to Michael Spidale and it was the only hit or runner he'd allow in his first six innings of work as he set down 17 straight after the Spidale single. The Germantown, Tenn. native set down the first man he faced in the seventh before Spidale broke up the streak and the shutout with a solo home run to left. Irwin got Matt Rizzotti to ground out but then surrendered a home run to Carlos Rivero to pull Reading within one and end his evening. He allowed the two runs on three hits while striking out three batters in his best road start of the season.
The home runs in the seventh broke a streak of 15.1 scoreless innings by the Curve pitching staff as they held the league's best offense off the board for nine innings on Tuesday night and 6.1 frames on Wednesday.
The game's deciding run actually ended up coming home in the fifth when Rodriguez singled in Brad Chalk, who came up with a two-out pinch hit. Noah Krol converted on his 16th save of the season as he pitched the ninth and induced a groundout from Rivero with two on to end the game.
Bryan Morris tossed a third of an inning while Michael Dubee pitched a clean eighth inning to bridge the gap to Krol in the ninth.
With a series win under its belt, Altoona (44-59) now makes the long trek to Portland, Maine where they'll take on the Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, for a four-game series beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday night from Hadlock Field. Nearby New Hampshire native Jeff Locke (6-8, 4.44), who is coming off a career-best eight-inning outing last time out, takes the ball for Altoona in the lid lifter. RHP Michael Lee (1-5, 4.87) is scheduled to start for the Sea Dogs.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Eastern League Stories from July 27, 2011
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