Sadler's blast lifts Altoona over Erie, 8-6
May 26, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ERIE, PA -The Altoona Curve fell behind early, but rallied late thanks to Ray Sadler's three-run home run in the eighth, to beat the Erie SeaWolves 8-6 on Friday night, and extend their winning-streak to five games. Eight different players collected hits for the Curve and the bullpen continued their solid play, tossing four scoreless innings to give Altoona the opportunity to climb out of an early 6-1 hole.
After waiting out a 36-minute fog delay, the teams matched zeros through the first two innings, but the Curve broke the scoreless tie in the third. David Parrish started the frame with a double, and later came around to score on a single from shortstop Javier Guzman to give the Curve a 1-0 edge. The lead was short lived though, because Erie scored four times in the bottom of the inning, and twice more in the fourth to jump in front 6-1. Erie's Brent Clevlen played a pivotal role in both rallies, smashing a home run and a double, while scoring two runs to pace the SeaWolves.
Altoona started to chip away at Erie's lead in the sixth, scoring three runs, to trim the deficit to 6-4. Guzman doubled to start the inning, and Brandon Chaves followed with a single to put two runners aboard for rehabbing slugger Sean Casey. Casey was unable to move the runners along, popping out to shortstop, but Brett Roneberg picked up the former All-Star, lacing a single into center field to score Guzman and cut the score to 6-2. An RBI-single from Simon Pond and an RBI-double off the bat of Craig Stansberry rounded out the inning and brought Altoona to within two, at 6-4.
The Curve continued to scratch and claw their way back into the game in the top of the eighth. Rafael Alvarez started the late-inning rally with a single, and Roneberg reached on an error to set the stage for Sadler's heroics. The 26-year old, who joined the Curve a little over a week ago, smashed his second home run of the season, to give the Curve their first since 1-0. Altoona tacked on an insurance run in the ninth, when Pond added to his league-leading RBI total scoring Roneberg from first on a double for his 34th RBI of the year.
Matt Peterson started for the Curve and struggled through his five innings of work, allowing six runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out two, and left the game with the Curve trailing 6-1. But, as has been the story all season, the Curve bullpen kept the SeaWolves off the scoreboard and gave Altoona the opportunity to comeback. Chris Hernandez tossed two scoreless innings to pick up the win and Jorge Vasquez did the same to close out the Curve victory and get his second save of the year.
Altoona will look to continue their hot play on Saturday evening when they take on the SeaWolves in the second game of a four-game set at 6:35pm. LHP Josh Shortslef (5-0, 3.48) will toe the rubber for Altoona and will be opposed by RHP Nate Bumstead (2-5, 3.11). After the four games in Erie, the Curve will head to Akron for three with the Aeros before returning to Blair County Ballpark on June 2nd to square off with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
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Eastern League Stories from May 26, 2006
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