Sanchez, Old And New, Key Five-Run Ninth In Come-From-Behind Win
Published on July 16, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ERIE, Pa. - Down two runs headed into their final at-bats, the Altoona Curve put up a five runs in the ninth and come-from-behind to beat the Erie SeaWolves on Saturday night at Jerry Uht Park by the score of 11-8. The win is the second straight for the Curve in the series.
Leading 8-6, the SeaWolves called upon Brendan Wise (0-1) to close the door in the ninth against Altoona, but patient and timely hitting would put the Curve in the win column. Brock Holt led the inning off with a walk followed by a single by Josh Rodriguez to put the tying run on first. Kris Watts bunted to push the runners 90-feet closer before Tony Sanchez stepped to the plate. Sanchez drove the ball into the outfield for a single to tie the game, before Matt Curry walked to place two on with one down.
In an 8-8 game with one out in the ninth, in his first game with the Curve and his first game as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Yunesky Sanchez singled to left to drive in the game-winning run and give the Curve a 9-8 lead. The Curve added two more on a double by Brad Chalk and a suicide squeeze by Greg Picart to cap a five-run ninth and turn a two-run deficit into a three run lead.
In the ninth, Curve closer Noah Krol came on and worked his second 1-2-3 inning for his second save in as many nights to sew up victory and complete the comeback for Altoona.
The Curve got on the board early in the game as Yunesky Sanchez homered in his first at-bat of the season to make it 2-0. Later, in a tie game at two in the fourth, Tony Sanchez hit a homer, his fourth of the season, a solo shot to left to give the Curve a 3-2 lead.
The SeaWolves scored two runs off Aaron Pribanic in the fifth to take the lead at 4-3 and Pribanic ended up going six as he allowed four runs, three earned on seven hits on the night.
In the seventh, after SeaWolves starter L.J. Gagnier exited the game allowing three runs on six hits, Altoona would overtake the hometown team as Rob Waite, who started the seventh inning with a strikeout, walked the second batter Starling Marte. The next batter, Holt, singled and Marte went to third on the play. Waite would then walk Rodriguez to load the bases before he hit Watts with a pitch to score a run and tie the game at four.
With the bases still loaded, Sanchez grounded the ball up the middle, which the shortstop bobbled and could only get one out on what appeared to be a double-play ball. On the play, the Curve scored a run to take the lead and then added another run on an infield single by Curry to take a 6-4 lead.
Leading by two, the Curve turned the game over to the bullpen, and Erie erased the deficit and took a two run lead before the big comeback in the ninth. Off Aaron Thompson (4-7), the SeaWolves scored two runs in the seventh on a two-run home run and added two more in the eighth on a two-run double to take an 8-6 lead.
All told, Tony Sanchez put up four RBI on the night and Yunesky Sanchez had three as the Curve belted out 13 hits and scored 11 runs. They have taken a 2-to-1 lead in the series and have won back-to-back games for the first time since June 16th.
The Curve (39-53) and the SeaWolves (44-49) will play their fourth and final game of the series on Sunday. For the Curve, RHP Phil Irwin (3-1, 3.45) will make the start and he will be opposed by RHP Brooks Brown (1-4, 7.01). Game time is set for 1:05 p.m. at Jerry Uht Park in Erie, Pa. with pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network will begin at 12:35 p.m.
Eastern League Stories from July 16, 2011
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