SeaWolves Begin Season 2-0
Published on April 9, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Erie SeaWolves News Release
The SeaWolves blasted out 10 runs en route to a 10-7 victory over the Altoona Curve on Thursday night at Jerry Uht Park. The win improves the Howlers to 2-0 on the season. For the second consecutive night, Altoona jumped ahead with an early 2-0 lead. In the top of the first inning against Erie starter Jon Kibler, Jose Tabata drew a two-out walk with the bases empty. Jonel Pacheco followed with a two-run home run to give Altoona the early advantage.
Altoona built on the lead in the top of the second. For the second straight inning, Kibler issued a two-out walk, this time to leadoff hitter Brian Friday. Friday then stole second and scored on a single by Jim Negrych for a 3-0 lead.
The 'Wolves responded in the bottom of the second inning against Altoona starter Brad Lincoln. Casper Wells led off the inning with a walk and Ryan Strieby followed with a base knock putting runners on the corners. With one out, Mike Hollimon grounded out to Lincoln, allowing Wells to score putting Erie on the board and making it a 3-1 game. Max Leon stepped to the plate and in his first at bat of the season, crushed a two-run home run over the wall in right field, tying the game at 3-3. The home run for Leon was his first since August 4, 2007 while playing in Lakeland. It was also the fourth career home run for Leon.
The SeaWolves would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Deik Scram tripled with two outs and scored on a Scott Sizemore single up the middle to make it 4-3.
Altoona would take the lead against reliever Zach Simons in the top of the sixth. After tossing a scoreless fifth, Simons allowed four-straight one-out hits. Brad Corley doubled and Steve Lerud single to put a pair on for James Boone. Erie catcher Alex Avila threw out Lerud on a double steal attempt for the second out. With Corley on second, James Boone singled home Corley, tying the game at 4-4. The next hitter, Friday, hit a two-run home run to left to put the Curve back ahead 6-4.
Erie came right back once again in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Wells reached first on a hit-by-pitch. Strieby doubled to the wall in right, scoring Wells from first to make it a 6-5 game. Reliever Eric Krebs then walked Avila and Mike Hollimon to load the bases for Leon. Altoona went to the pen for the second time in the inning to bring in Derek Hankins. Hankins walked Leon with the bases loaded, scoring Strieby, tying the game at 6-6. Scram followed with a base hit to left putting the 'Wolves back ahead at 7-6. With the bases still loaded, Sizemore drew the fourth walk of the inning to give Erie an 8-6 advantage.
The 'Wolves tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 10-6. Wells walked to start the inning and he scored on an Avila double. Avila would later score in the inning on Leon's second hit of the game. Leon finished with four RBI.
Altoona would score an unearned run in the ninth inning but it would not be enough as Erie held on for a 10-7 victory.
Brendan Wise (1-0) picked up the win for the 'Wolves tossing two scoreless innings in relief.
Eastern League Stories from April 9, 2009
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- SeaWolves Begin Season 2-0 - Erie SeaWolves
- Erie outslugs Altoona, 10-7 - Altoona Curve
- Baysox Fall in Akron - Chesapeake Baysox
- Sea Dogs Drop Opener 3-0 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fisher Cats edge Rock Cats 4-3 to stay undefeated - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Defenders Shutout Portland 3-0 - Connecticut Defenders
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
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