Polanco & Sadler Dazzle in 8-4 Win over Thunder
Published on June 14, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. -Curve outfielder Gregory Polanco flew into to Curve, Pa. Friday afternoon and then went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI in his first Double-A game to help the Altoona Curve beat the Trenton Thunder, 8-4, at Peoples Natural Gas Field in front of 4,674 fans. The Curve submitted an effective all-around performance in the series opener, showing off stifling early pitching and explosive offense.
Righty Casey Sadler (7-4) earned the win for the Curve. He was smoothly efficient through six innings -- striking out four, allowing no runs, giving up three hits, and walking one batter. Sadler retired six of the first seven batters he faced (with one runner reaching base on a fielding error). It was Sadler's eighth quality start of the season and he is now tied for the Eastern League lead in wins with seven.
The Curve began their offensive barrage in the third inning. Adalberto Santos lofted a long double to the warning track that barely cleared centerfielder Slade Heathcott's glove. After Carlos Paulino struck out, Santos stole third. Gift Ngoepe walked and Mel Rojas, Jr. was hit by Nik Turley's pitch to load the bases. Drew Maggi then snaked a ground ball inside the first base line for a double. Santos and Ngoepe both scored on the hit for the 2-0 lead.
The Curve weren't done for the inning. Polanco hit a hard ground ball that deflected off Turley's leg toward second. Polanco was thrown out, but earned the RBI as Rojas, Jr. scored from third. Alex Dickerson promptly singled up the middle to score Maggi and take a decisive 4-0 lead.
Dickerson finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, and Santos also finished with two hits. Maggi's two RBIs tied Polanco's for the team lead on the night.
The Curve stayed on track in the sixth inning. Jarek Cunningham lead off the inning with a solo homer, his 13th of the season, into the left field bleachers to extend the lead to five. Oscar Tejeda walked, Santos singled, and Paulino hit into a fielder's choice that moved Tejeda to third. Trenton catcher Tyson Blaser then tried to pick off Paulino at first, but badly overthrew the base. Tejeda scored easily for the last run of the inning and the seven-run lead.
Trenton surged late, scoring two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings. The Thunder then mounted a serious threat in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with one out and dangerous hitter Tyler Austin at the plate. But Jason Townsend rebounded by striking out Austin and inducing a long fly-out from Kyle Roller to end the game.
The Curve (28-37) will take on Trenton (33-33) at Peoples Natural Gas Field at 6 p.m. on Saturday for game two of the series. The game will feature an appearance by the Fur Circus, sponsored by WTAJ-TV. Saturday is also Scout Night, Allegany County (Md). Night, and EMS Appreciation Night. Kids can run the bases after the final out.
Altoona has yet to announce a starter for the second game of the series while Trenton will send RHP Zach Nuding (2-7, 3.28) to the mound. Gates for the contest swing open at 5 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information on the Curve homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Eastern League Stories from June 14, 2013
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