EL1 Altoona Curve

Will-It Land?: Garcia Homers Twice in Win

Published on May 22, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


Curve, Pa. - The Altoona Curve used their largest run output of the homestand to defeat the Akron RubberDucks, 7-3, Thursday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. With the win, the Curve split the four-game series with the 'Ducks and will embark on an eight-game road trip before returning to Curve, Pa. on Friday, May 30.

Willy Garcia started his great day at the plate in the third inning. After going 1-for-6 in the series entering Thursday's game, the right fielder clubbed a solo home run to lead off the inning and gave the Curve the early 1-0 advantage.

Altoona tacked on another run in the fourth. After Matt Curry drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by Elias Diaz, Curry crossed home on an RBI single by Keon Broxton. The RBI gave the Curve team a 2-0 edge.

Curve starter A.J. Morris surrendered his first run at Peoples Natural Gas Field since April 5 in the sixth on an RBI single by Tyler Holt, but the Curve answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. With nobody on and one out, Curry roped a home run to left that gave Altoona a 3-1 lead. It was Curry's first home run since May 3 of last season with the Curve.

In the seventh, Altoona scored again to take a 4-1 lead. After Garcia led off the inning with a double to left and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jarek Cunningham, the right fielder scored when Gift Ngoepe collected his 20th RBI of the season with a single to right.

Akron made the game interesting in the eighth after they scored two runs off reliever Joan Montero, but Altoona added insurance in the bottom of the inning. After Curry led off the inning and stole second, he was replaced on the basepaths by Andy Vasquez. With two outs, Broxton drew a walk to set the stage for Garcia, who blasted a three-run home run and gave the Curve their final score of the game. Garcia finished the game 3-for-4 with a season-high four RBIs.

Morris (5-0) earned the win after he allowed one run on four hits over seven innings of work. The Humble, Texas native worked four innings where he faced the minimum number of batters. Akron starter Will Roberts (4-5) took the loss while Curve reliever Jhonathan Ramos picked up his first save of the season after 1.1 perfect innings.

With the win, Altoona (18-27) split the four-game series with Akron (30-16) and will embark on a road trip beginning with five games in four days against the Erie SeaWolves. The Curve will begin the road trip on Friday for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Detroit Tigers Double-A Affiliate while pregame on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Altoona returns home on Friday, May 30 and will battle opponents exclusively from the Eastern Division. First, a three-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats followed by a three-game set against the Binghamton Mets. The first two games back in Curve, Pa. will feature postgame fireworks for all the fans. For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCuve.com, call 877.99.CURVE, or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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Eastern League Stories from May 22, 2014


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