EL1 Altoona Curve

SeaWolves Score Late, Beat Curve in Extras

Published on May 15, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve were two outs away from a fifth straight win and a series sweep of the Erie SeaWolves but the Howlers scored a pair of unearned runs, one in the ninth to tie it and one in the 13th to win it, to defeat the Altoona Curve, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Blair County Ballpark.

Justin Henry led off in the 13th inning against Chris Leroux (1-2) with a triple down the right-field line, which turned into the game-winning hit because of a throwing error. With Henry sliding in to third, the relay throw from Miles Durham floated over third base and off the glove of Leroux and into the stands, which permitted Henry to score and break the 1-1 tie. Leroux retired the next three men he faced to end the top of the 13th.

The Curve, despite a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning from Jose Hernandez, could not bring the tying run across. Brock Holt laid down a sacrifice to move Hernandez to third with one down but Starling Marte popped out to shallow right field for the inning's second out. Closer Chance Ruffin hit Quincy Latimore to place the game-winning run on the bases for the Curve. Jordy Mercer was called out on a 3-2 pitch to end the threat and the game.

Altoona got on the board first in the fifth as Eric Fryer singled to lead off the inning and scored on the very next play as Durham doubled off the base of the wall in left-center field.

The Curve maintained their 1-0 lead and were two outs away from victory before Jamie Johnson reached second base on a base-hit bunt and an error in the ninth. The next batter, Brandon Douglas, smacked one to the wall in left to score Johnson from second to tie the game up.

Curve starter Aaron Pribanic went six strong innings, only working out of trouble in the first when he had a runner on second to lead off the game on an error. All told, Pribanic allowed two hits and no runs, with four strikeouts and no walks. Pribanic set down 13-straight SeaWolves from the end of the second through the first batter in the seventh when he was taken out of the game. Pribanic drops his ERA to 2.48 but does not factor into the decision.

SeaWolves starter Mark Sorensen pitched well for the visitors as he went a season-high eight innings while giving up just one run.

The Curve (18-17) will have a scheduled off day on Monday before traveling to Akron, Ohio on Tuesday to begin a three-game series with the Aeros. LHP Jeff Locke (2-3, 3.35) will take to the hill for the Curve in the first game and will be opposed by LHP Kelvin De La Cruz (2-3, 2.32). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Canal Park with pregame coverage on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network beginning at 6:35 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2011


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