Three Curve Bombs Blast Away R-Phils, 4-1
August 31, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA - The Altoona Curve used a three homer attack in the third inning to blast past the Reading Phillies, 4-1, on Sunday night at Blair County Ballpark.
In front of 7,437 energetic fans, Jose Tabata got the crowd on their feet with a solo blast to put the Curve in front, 1-0.
Jonel Pacheco, who prior to Sunday's game was named the Curve's Most Valuable Player for the 2008 season, rifled a two-run shot into the bleachers to put Altoona ahead, 3-0.
James Boone capped off the three-homer inning with a solo bomb down the left field line to extend the lead to 4-0.
As impressive as the Curve offense was, pitchers Dan Reichert (3-4) and reliever Juan Mateo may have been better. The duo permitted just five hits combined.
In his final start of the season, Reichert allowed just one run on three hits over six solid innings. The righty punched out five batters before giving way to Mateo. Mateo, who prior to Sunday's game was named the Curve's Pitcher of the Year, tossed three shutout innings to secure his fifth save of the season. Mateo surrendered just two hits.
In presumably his last appearance of the season, Mateo finished the year tossing 19 1/3 scoreless innings, which is the most by any Curve pitcher in 2008.
Following the game before fans enjoyed a spectacular post-game fireworks show, pitching coach Brad Holman, who in his spare time away from baseball is a singer/songwriter, serenaded fans with The Loyal Fan -- a song Holman himself wrote and produced. The lyrics of the song described his appreciation for the dedicated Curve contingent on hand. At the song's conclusion, fans rose to their feet giving Holman a standing ovation.
The Curve will play their final game of the 2008 season at 12:05 p.m. on Monday in search of the series win. Righty Derek Hankins (1-11, 4.66) will toe the rubber in the finale for Altoona, while the R-Phils counter with right-hander J.D. Durbin (5-6, 4.04).
Fans are urged to Blair County Ballpark early. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for Monday's special Field of Dreams pre-game festivities, which start at 11:15 a.m. Curve players, wearing their 1920's style throwback uniforms will emerge from corn stalks in the outfield, just as the baseball players in the 1989 class film Field of Dreams did only to walk up into the stands to mingle with Curve fans and thank them for the undying support throughout the team's tenth anniversary season.
Great seats for Monday's season finale still remain. Fans in search of tickets can call 877-99-CURVE, log on to AltoonaCurve.com o stop by the Blair County Ballpark ticket windows.
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