EL1 Altoona Curve

What Can Brown Do for You? Kelson Delivers Game-Winning Hit in Ninth

Published on July 3, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


BOWIE, Md. - Kelson Brown played the hero on Thursday night to help lift the Curve to a, 6-3, victory in Bowie to claim a series split with the Baysox. Brown, who finished the game, 1-for-4, delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the ninth that eventually sent the Curve to victory.

After leading 3-0 early thanks to a Stetson Allie homer in the first inning, the Curve allowed Bowie to tie it a few innings later on a Dariel Alvarez three-run homer.

That's where the scoring stayed as neither team cracked the scoreboard. The Curve bats fell victim to Baysox pitching after the fourth inning as starter Jake Pettit and closer Oliver Drake combined to retire 16 in a row. Of the 16, 14 were by the starter Pettit, who matched a season high with eight innings pitched.

With two down in the ninth, Keon Broxton appeared to strike out to end the inning but the ball got away from catcher Michael Ohlman. Ohlman's throw to first was wide and Broxton was safe at first. That brought Willy Garcia to the plate and he stroked a single to left to move Broxton to second with two out. Brown came to the plate and placed a singled in front of left fielder Johnny Ruettiger. Carlos Garcia, who was coaching at third, had no hesitation to send Broxton rounding third and he wound up scoring on the play with no throw as Ruettiger bobbled the ball in left.

Ruettiger's error allowed Garcia to get to third and Brown to move to second for Carlos Paulino. Paulino found his first of the season with the Curve off Drake to score both runners and give the Curve the three-run lead.

John Holdzkom (1-0), who'd pitched a scoreless, hitless eighth, tossed the ninth and earned his first career Double-A victory. In his first four appearances with the Curve since being signed out of Indy ball, Holdzkom has allowed one hit in six innings to go along with 10 strikeouts.

Starter Zack Dodson took a no decision on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits in 3.2 innings. Yao-Hsun Yang and Emmanuel de Leon bridged the gap from Dodson to Holdzkom, combining on 3.1 scoreless innings.

Done with Bowie for the time being, the Curve (31-54) now return home for the Fourth of July with a 7 p.m. game versus the Harrisburg Senators on Friday night. We'll have a double fireworks show following the game thanks to the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Curve will also be wearing special Stars & Stripes Caps for the game. Those hats will be auctioned off in game with proceeds from the auction benefitting the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. After the game and fireworks, kids can run the bases.

With a large crowd expected, gates for the Fourth of July game will open at 5:30 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

On the bump for the Curve in the lid lifter will be RHP Pat Ludwig (0-3, 7.88), who searches for his first Double-A win of the season. Harrisburg will counter with RHP Brett Brach (1-3, 5.57) on Friday night.

For tickets and more information on the homestand in Curve, Pa., call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at PNG Field.

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Eastern League Stories from July 3, 2014


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