Reading Phillies at Altoona Curve
Published on April 22, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
LAST NIGHT: The Altoona Curve had a two-game winning streak snapped last night, falling to the R-Phils, 3-1. Altoona rallied in the ninth, bringing the winning run to the plate, but Reading closer Antonio Bastardo closed the door. Jim Negrych went 3-for-4 in the loss.
TONIGHT'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Altoona Curve will look to even the rain-shortened two-game series tonight at 5:05 p.m. against the Reading Phillies (AA - Philadelphia). Reading is managed by Steve Roadcap, who enters his first year as R-Phils skipper, replacing P.J. Forbes. Forbes currently manages in the Pirates' chain as the bench boss for the Lynchburg Hillcats (Advanced - A)
TONIGHT'S STARTING PITCHERS: Altoona's Brad Lincoln will make his third start of the 2009 season tonight. Lincoln was the tough-luck loser in his last outing (4/16) on Thursday. Lincoln allowed one unearned run to the Erie SeaWolves during Altoona's Home Opener. The Pirates' first round draft choice (fourth overall) in 2006, Lincoln has struck out 12 batters in 9.0 total innings this season.
Reading will counter with left-hander Joe Savery, who makes his third Double-A start. In his last outing, Savery allowed three runs over 4.0 innings and suffered the loss at Harrisburg. A former first round draft choice (2007) out of Rice University, Savery was a teammate of Curve shortstop Brian Friday while the duo played for the Owls. Savery was ranked as the Phillies No. 3 prospect a year ago, but because of a 9-10 mark with a 4.13 ERA in 2008, Savery dropped to No. 20/30 according to Baseball America.
CURVE/READING SERIES: Tonight is the second of 21 meetings between the Curve and R-Phils. Last season, Altoona sported a mark of 7-11 versus Reading...the Curve have an impressive all-time mark of 54-34 against the R-Phils at Blair County Ballpark.
TOUGH OUT: The Altoona Curve bats have the early signs of being a tough out for opposing Eastern League hitters. The Curve have only struck out 60 times as a team, which is the fewest in the Eastern League.
SCOUTING THE R-PHILS: The Reading Phillies currently lead the E.L. in hitting (.276 team average)...Quintin Berry leads the circuit in steals (5)..Kevin Mahar (.379) currently ranks third in the league in batting average.
WELCOME BACK, SHORTY: LHP Josh Shortslef a former Pirates' farmhand is now a member of the Reading bullpen. Shortslef signed with the Philadelphia organization on 12/30/08 as a minor league free agent...Shortslef spent three seasons with Altoona (2006-08). He was the 2007 Opening Day starter for Altoona and last season moved to the bullpen where he went 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA and was one of the representatives for Altoona in the 2008 Eastern League All Star Game.
BULL OF A PEN: With over the last five games, Altoona's bullpen has been called to duty often. They have come through, tossing 30.0 innings over that span, allowing just four earned runs (1.20 ERA).
RECENT TRANSACTIONS: In the last 24 hours, OF Jason Delaney and INF Anderson Machado have been added to the Curve's 24-man roster from AAA Indianapolis. C Miguel Perez was moved to AAA while Brian Friday was placed on the Disabled List (retroactive to April 17) with an inner ear condition.
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