Picart Blasts Altoona to Series Victory Against Trenton
August 7, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Greg Picart hadn't hit a home run in his last 479 at-bats, but he picked an excellent time to put one over the wall, in a tie, 2-2, ballgame in the bottom of the seventh to put the Altoona Curve in front for an eventual 3-2 win against the Trenton Thunder on Sunday night at Blair County Ballpark. The win produced a 4-2 homestand for Altoona with back-to-back series wins.
Picart's last home run came on July 29th, 2009 as a member of the West Virginia Power but his solo shot in the seventh produced victory for the Curve off switch-pitcher Pat Venditte (3-6), who chose to throw right-handed to the switch-hitter Picart who batted from the left side.
After the home run, Aaron Thompson pitched a perfect eighth inning, giving way to Noah Krol who worked a very easy 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 18th save of the season.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Curve got on the board first in the second inning off one of the New York Yankees top prospects, Dellin Betances. In the inning, Yunesky Sanchez singled to lead off and was bunted to second before he moved to third base on a ground out.
With two down, Brock Holt then rolled a slow grounder to the third base side, scoring Sanchez from third and allowing Holt to reach second on a throwing error from Betances as he airmailed the catcher in an attempt to make a play at the plate. With Holt on second, Josh Rodriguez singled to give Altoona a 2-0 lead.
Phil Irwin started for Altoona and was extremely sharp early on with six strikeouts through his first three innings and he lasted two outs into the sixth in his day of work. Scoreless through five, Irwin got the first out in the sixth before Jose Pirela singled for the Thunder's second hit of the ballgame. After a fly out to left, Irwin allowed a double off the bat of Rob Lyerly to cut the Curve advantage to 2-1 and lift him from the game.
In his start, Irwin was superb as he went 5.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks. In relief of Irwin, Bryan Morris allowed a runner to reach on an error, scoring Lyerly from second, tying the game, before he struck out Zoilo Almonte to end the inning.
In the victory, the Curve ended the game with seven hits, a two-hit day for Rodriguez, but Starling Marte went 0-for-4, ending his season-long 14-game hitting streak.
With the win, the Curve went 4-2 during their six-game homestand and will now hit the road after a travel day for a three-game series with New Britain before returning home. The Curve will take on the Rock Cats Tuesday-through-Thursday and they'll come home to begin their next homestand on August 12th.
On the mound for the Curve on Tuesday will be LHP Jeff Locke (6-8, 4.22) and he will be opposed by RHP David Bromberg (1-1, 3.86). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Conn. with pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 6:35 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from August 7, 2011
- Miclat Steals Past Fisher Cats - Bowie Baysox
- B-Mets Answer Bell in Rubber Match, 7-4 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Hechavarria Goes 3-For-5 with 2 RBI in Loss to Baysox - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Picart Blasts Altoona to Series Victory Against Trenton - Altoona Curve
- Late Homerun Sends Thunder to Series Loss - Trenton Thunder
- Wilson Deals Sea Dogs Past Flying Squirrels, 7-2 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Sea Dogs Avoid Sweep Attempt, Claim Finale, 7-2 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Aeros Erupt For 10 Runs, Take Rubber Match From Rock Cats - Akron RubberDucks
- 'Wolves Drop Finale to Senators - Erie SeaWolves
- Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Portland Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
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.
