R-Phils dampen the Curve's opener
Published on April 12, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA- Inclement weather, inopportune fielding miscues, and a two-run homer off the bat of Juan Tejada were enough to dampen the Curve's home opener, as they fell to Reading 7-6 on Thursday.
The Curve lost their home opener for the first time in franchise history thanks in large part to three fielding errors, the last of which was the most costly. With Altoona in front 5-4 in the top of the eighth inning, a two-out bobble by Javier Guzman allowed Joey Hammond to score the tying run for Reading, and also led to the fatal two-run blow by Tejada one batter later, as he sent an offering from Curve reliever Romulo Sanchez over the left field wall for a 7-5 lead.
Reading was in front for most of the night after scoring in four successive frames from the third through the sixth.
However, for a few moments, the assembled crowd of 4,555 had reason to smile.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Curve got three runs and a glimpse of what they hope their future holds as they stormed from behind to take a 5-4 lead.
With two outs and empty bases, Curve shortstop Brandon Chaves reached on a throwing error by Reading third baseman Mike Costanzo. The miscue opened the floodgates.
Chaves stole second base and was brought home on an RBI single by pinch-hitter Brett Roneberg to pull the Curve within one at 4-3. The base-hit also chased R-Phil starter Matt Maloney from the ballgame.
Bubba Nelson came out of the Reading bullpen and issued back-to-back walks to Andrew McCutchen and Vic Buttler. That set the stage for Neil Walker who put the Curve in front with a two-run single that caromed off the leg of Nelson and into centerfield, scoring Roneberg and McCutchen.
Following Tejada's home run that gave the lead back to Reading, the Curve crept back into it with a run in the eighth to close to 7-6.
They then loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but Dave Parrish's ground ball to third was fielded cleanly by Michael Costanzo who threw across to Tejada to end the ballgame in 3 hours and 31 minutes.
Bubba Nelson (1-0) claimed the victory for Reading despite being charged with two runs in just a third of an inning.
Ryan Cameron, who came in for the final two-thirds of an inning collected the save, his first of the season.
The loss was pinned on Sanchez (0-1).
Overshadowed in the loss was another great night at the plate for Adam Boeve, who had three hits for the third consecutive ballgame.
Game two of the series is slated for 6:35 PM tomorrow night. Luiz Munoz will make the start for Altoona. Kyle Kendrick will oppose him for Reading.
Eastern League Stories from April 12, 2007
- Sea Dogs rally in extras for second straight win - Portland Sea Dogs
- Portland Prevails In Back-And-Forth Contest - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- R-Phils dampen the Curve's opener - Altoona Curve
- Senators Cool Off 'Wolves Bats - Erie SeaWolves
- Fisher Cats/Rock Cats Postponed Thursday night - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Sea Dogs Pick Up First Win Of The Season - Portland Sea Dogs
- Thunder, Connecticut Rained Out On Thursday - Trenton Thunder
- Defenders April 12 game postponed - Connecticut Defenders
- Rock Cats 2007 Home Opener Postponed - New Britain Rock Cats
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