Snell, two relievers combine to blank Mets, 3-0
Published on May 5, 2004 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
(ALTOONA, PA)- Ian Snell and two relievers combined to toss a five-hit shutout as the Altoona Curve defeated the Binghamton Mets 3-0 Wednesday morning at Blair County Ballpark.
The victory earned Altoona (14-12) a three games-to-one series win over Binghamton and gave the Curve its first three-game winning streak since the club won its first four games of the season.
Snell (3-2) worked the first five innings, allowing just three hits, to earn the win and run his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 12 1/3. The right-hander tossed a seven-inning, complete game, three-hit shutout at Norwich last Tuesday en route to being named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week last week.
Snell was pitching just three days after he took the mound for his start against Erie, which was cut short when heavy rains caused the game to be suspended. Because he threw less than 20 pitches Sunday, he was brought back on just two days rest.
Snell turned over a 2-0 game to the bullpen in the sixth inning and Jeff Miller and Elio Serrano combined to toss four scoreless frames to close out Altoona's third shutout victory of the season.
Miller tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, walking three and striking out three before turning the game over to Elio Serrano, who kept the B-Mets off the board in the ninth to pick up his sixth save.
Offensively, Curve outfielder Gary Thomas made the most of his three plate appearances by going 2-for-3 with a triple, solo home run and two runs scored to break out of a 6-for-45 (.133) slump.
In the third inning, Thomas tripled after one out and then scored on the first of two run-scoring wild pitches thrown by Binghamton starter Wayne Ough (0-1), who suffered the loss.
In the fifth, Thomas led off with his first home run of the season--a long drive into the left-field bleachers--to give Altoona a 2-0 advantage.
Ronny Paulino, playing his first game at first base due to a rash of injuries to the Curve infield, recorded Altoona's other multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
The Curve will now begin a stretch that will see the club play just three of its next 17 games at Blair County Ballpark. Altoona will open a seven-game road trip Thursday night with the first of four games against the first-place Bowie Baysox (AA/Orioles) at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie. The Curve will also play three games in Erie (AA/Tigers) as part of the road swing.
In Thursday night's contest, Altoona will send right-hander Landon Jacobsen (0-2, 7.16) to the mound against Bowie righty Brian Finch, who will be making his Double-A debut. Gametime is set for 7:05 p.m., with airtime on the Curve Radio Network set for 6:50.
Eastern League Stories from May 5, 2004
- SeaWolves news - Erie SeaWolves
- Rollin'...Rollin'...Rollin' - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Snell, two relievers combine to blank Mets, 3-0 - Altoona Curve
- Blue Jays assign Kratz to extended spring training - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- SeaWolves avoid Sweep, beat Baysox, 5-3 - Chesapeake Baysox
- Fisher Cats finish homestand strong - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Sea Dogs News & Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
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