Altoona, PA -- It was a glorious day for baseball, and Altoona was left shining at the end of the day after a shutout 5-0 win powered by Jason McDonough's hits and Vance Worley's complete game shutout. The two clash again to wrap up the Curve's home-stand tomorrow at 1.
Small crowd on this wonderful day
8,188 fans showed up to today's game. At 50% capacity, many fans have work during this time, and the Curve do not begin the kid's field trip promotion until May. Small crowds are expected on these days. Altoona got on the board first in the bottom of the 3rd taking a 1-0 lead after Jason McDonough hit a home run to right field that barely cleared the fence.
McDonough's home run appearance
This wasn't it for Jason though, as he added on an RBI single in the 5th after a Bobby O'Malley double allowed him to score off McDonough's hit.
3 Hit day for McDonough, who had been struggling
Curve third baseman Chris Nelson
Akron continued to fail when it came to scoring runs, as they progressed worse as the game went on. They managed 5 hits all game, 3 of which came in the first 2 innings. The Curve turned things on in the 8th after some big hits. It started with hot hitter Jason McDonough getting another single. Gonzalez tripled to right, Chacin doubled to right, and Tanaka doubled to left. Chris Nelson popped out after to finally end the inning.
Worley ends the game
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Altoona ends the home stand tomorrow before traveling to Richmond and Harrisburg.
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Note: You may have noticed, but I recently had to switch my picture provider from Fotki to Photobucket. I paid for Fotki, and it is ashamed how they have such poor service. They change the direct links of pictures randomly, which is why sometimes you may only see a link and no picture. I am hoping photobucket clears everything up.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Welcome to the weekly summary!! This post will be made once a week in the game usually Wednesday morning! It will feature many things from Power Rankings to Top Players and other league news. Each summary will also have an individual team column.
The Altoona Curve currently lead the Western Division of the Eastern League. Even though the year is early, there is a significant difference in team success between the Western & Eastern division. The Western Division has a record of 15-21, while the East is 21-15.
The Erie Sea Wolves remain the only team in the minors that have yet to win, they are coming off a sweep by the Curve and they recently lost 2 to Binghamton, one of which was 11-2. Things do not get much better for them in April as they play Trenton & Bowie next, meaning that their only 4 opponents in April all rank in the Top 5 of the Eastern League.
Altoona is the only team to hold their opponent's combined to single digit runs this season, as they have only allowed 7 runs all year. Binghamton is 2nd with 17 runs allowed. The Altoona pitching staff has been lights out all year.
Chris Nelson has the best average for Altoona along with the most hits. He also has a homerun to his credit. Orlando Aquino recently came back from a little 2 day injury in which he hurt his knee in batting practice.
Following this game, the Curve will play Richmond and Harrisburg for the next 14 games. Richmond is 1-6 so far with their lone win on opening day. They have played New Britain, and Bowie, 2 of the Top 4 teams in the league though. Harrisburg has played the exact same teams, and is 2-4.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
Altoona, PA -- The rubber match for Akron and Altoona ended after an 11 inning win for Altoona 3-2. Altoona recorded a season high 17 hits, and left many runners on base but still managed to escape with a win. The Curve spend the next week on the road with a 6-1 record.
Altoona takes the field
Curve starting line-up
12,741 packed into the stadium, 78% capacity and the highest attendance so far as the send off crowd cheered Altoona to a win. It took the teams a while to put anything on the board but in the 4th Balladres hit a home run to left to give the Curve a 1-0 lead. Just an inning later in the 5th, a Lopez single and Tanaka double allowed Lopez to score. Sad news for Tanaka as in the 10th he was taken out of the game as it looked like he strained some type of muscle on 3rd base while running. Jason McDonough came in to replace him.
Curve end the inning
Balladres rounding third after the HR
Akron batter striking out to end the Top 7th
Akron turned it on in the 8th with some hits and a pair of runs to make it 2-2. Carrasco doubled, and then a pair of batters grounded out. With 2 outs, Akron had a runner on third. Vasquez reached first after he hit the ball and Altoona failed to throw the runner out as he outran the throw. Castilla doubled to left, and the runners were able to score.
The game went to extra innings, and it came to the bottom of the 11th when Altoona won. Gonzalez doubled to right with 1 out. Aquino flied out to make it a 2 out game. Lopez then lined to center allowing Gonzalez to win the game for the Curve.
Altoona Wins!
Post-Game festivities
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Altoona will hit the road to Richmond tonight for a 7:00 night game tomorrow. After the game it was determined that Kensuke Tanaka has a strained bicep and will be out about 3 days. He will be kept on the active roster. The Curve look to continue their winning ways. The Altoona Mirror will see you again next week as they play Richmond at home then!
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
Richmond, VA -- The Flying Squirrels failed to get a single hit until the 5th inning of tonight's home opener against visiting Altoona, and Altoona notched 3 runs in the first 3 innings en route to a 4-0 win. The Squirrels fell to 1-7 on the year and will host Altoona again tomorrow.
Laughing Mountain Park
Foul ball and view of crowd in the 2nd
Altoona scored a run in the 2nd when Jeff McDonough scored after a single that was aided by Coronado's single and Aquino's grounder. In the 3rd Altoona stepped it up with Lopez singling to center, Rodriguez lining to center, and Balladres singling to center. Balladres had a season high 4 hits today. McDonough grounded to left for a single scoring 2 runs. Meanwhile, Richmond could not get any hits going and they were striking out way too much.
Altoona kept the upper hand all night
Altoona finished things off in the 7th after Balladres doubled, and McDonough hit him in. Altoona had 14 hits, but still fails to get runners around to score, and they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league despite their 7-1 record.
Curve Win!
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Altoona now has the overall lead in the Eastern League by a game. In other news, Erie Sea Wolves lost again, putting them at 0-8 for the year, worst start in Eastern League history. They are the only team left in all 3 baseball leagues that have yet to win.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Richmond, VA -- Since starting 1-0, Richmond has lost 7 straight games. That drought ended tonight, as they get the better of Altoona in a classic back and forth game, 6-5 in 11 innings. A 2-run HR in the first propelled Richmond to the win.
It was 37 degrees for the night affair that saw cloudy skies and a decent crowd. After Crespo's single in the first, Asuncion wasted no time hitting a 2-run bomb over the left field wall. 2-0 Squirrels.
HR hitter
Altoona took a few innings to get going, but in the 4th they tied it 2-2 after a Chris Nelson single and a Cabrera triple followed by a Gonzalez single scored 2 runs. However, Richmond was not having any of it with the opportunity they had. Bautista doubled to left for Richmond, and Medrano tripled to right, making it a 3-2 game in favor of the Squirrels. Luckily for Altoona, they got out of the inning soon after.
Inning ending grounder
Richmond looked to add on to the lead in the 5th, and they did just that. Curve pitcher Lon Jaschek allowed 2 more runs thanks to a surprise single bunt by Asuncion turned into 2 bases after an error on the throw. Altoona had a season high 5 errors on the loss. Asuncion advanced to third after a sacrifice fly. Altoona saw a bright light however when a Tucker grounder saw Asuncion get thrown out at home plate trying to score. Underwood doubled to right, while runs scored as Varela & Tucker come in.
Altoona was facing a 3 run deficit, the most this year. In the 7th they did everything they could but settled for a single run after Gonzalez tripled, and McGuiness hit a sacrifice fly to bring him in. It was 3-5 heading into the top of the 9th, Richmond brings in closing pitcher Ortiz. Cabrera began the inning striking out. 1 out. Gonzalez struck out. 2 outs. Curve's hopes are looking slim. McGuinness came up to bat next, and sailed a triple to right. Lopez is up to bat, on the first pitch he sends it hauling into right-center, a triple! 4-5 Squirrels! Lopez comes up clutch pinch hitting for pitcher Cam Barnhart. Chacin, the lead hitter comes up next, and he also comes through with a single! 5-5! The home crowd is absolutely furious, as they are looking like bad news bears about to go 1-8. Calderon now came into pitch and recorded the final out.
Curve look to take it to extras
Altoona brought in pitcher Joe Blanton, and he pitched a gem 9th inning to send it to extras. Altoona did not record a single hit in the 10th or 11th. Richmond came close to winning in the 10th after a Asuncion hit turned into error after error allowing him to reach second. The curve ended the inning though. In the 11th, Richmond loaded the bases with 1 out, and it was only a matter of time until they would win. Castilla hit a single into the outfield that scored Naquin to win.
Not the usual looks for these GM's
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Altoona outhit Richmond, but an error filled sloppy game caused their second loss of the season. In other league news, Erie defeated Trenton 2-1 to win their first game of the season. Altoona and Bowie are now tied for the division lead at 7-2. All 4 other teams in the division are 3-6 or worse.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Nice write-up, and I guess it's a case of ask and I shall receive...right after saying it's too easy
Finally a second loss
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
547984 wrote:
Nice write-up, and I guess it's a case of ask and I shall receive...right after saying it's too easy
Finally a second loss
I was thinking about stepping up the difficulty, I am on the 3rd highest out of 4, but I thought I will just let it go because the teams I have been playing I am significantly better than. In the end, it was such a fun game to play, definitely staying where I am at difficulty wise. And thanks for the compliment on the write-up. Wish I could do a cycling story and be that into it...
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Richmond, VA -- A 6-0 Altoona lead was too much for Richmond to comeback on, as the Squirrels lost 3-6. The rubber match between the 2 will be tomorrow night. 2 home-runs powered Richmond, including the second night in a row that Fisher Asuncion has done it. Altoona pitcher Will Garvin had 3 hits himself on the night along with the winning effort.
Starting Line-up
ALT pitcher Garvin can hit too!
Altoona got the bats going early in the 2nd as Lopez lined to shortstop, hitting the player and causing the ball to fly into the outfield. Aquino tripled next, making it a 1-0 game. Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to Center which scored Aquino. 2-0 to end the inning. Again in the 4th that bats got going. Aquino lined to center for a single after Lopez also reached first after a throwing error. Garvin (the pitcher) lined to center loading the bases. Chacin singled scoring a run, and Gonzales lined to left. These 2 runs could have easily been turned into 5 if the bats kept going!
Richmond GM upset
Altoona scored their final 2 runs in the 7th. Lopez doubled to center, Aquino reached base on a fielding error, and Gonzalez lined to center for a single. Chacin then lined to center scoring the other run. Altoona replaced their pitcher with the comfortable 6-0 lead when Luis Guerra came in. Tucker hit a powerful homerun to right.
Richmond turned the heat up again in the 8th, Crespo smashed a ball that got passed CF O'Malley, and he turned it into an error Inside The Park HR. Following this, Asuncion hit a HR to right, his 2nd in 2 days. Altoona brought in Terrence Thomas to finish the game pitching then, and he had no problems putting the game away for the visiting Curve.
Another Win
NOTE: New Box Score format, let me know, yes or no?
Tommy Tucker went 3-4 for Richmond with a HR, an outstanding performance. Altoona regained the lead in the division with a Bowie loss. Richmond avoids falling to last place as Erie loses to demote to 1-9.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Richmond, VA -- Richmond could not be any happier to see Altoona leave town, as they again defeated Richmond today 3-0 thanks to Vance Worley's lights out pitching. Richmond nodded 6 hits, however, they left many men on base as inconsistency caused failure along with 3 errors.
Are you kidding?
Richmond's early season meltdown's may have rubbed off onto the fans. Only 2,500 some fans came to the game, a mocking 15% capacity. It was a pitchers battle for the first 3 innings, as a 0-0 game was aided by a total of 5 hits between the two squads.
Can't get anything going
The Curve's first run in the 4th only happened because of a Bautista error (his second in 2 days). Aquino was able to reach base, and a Coronado double scored him. It was 1-0 heading into the 7th, a fairly competitive game to this point. Chacin began the 7th with a double to center directly after Richmond brought in new pitcher Calderon. Lopez doubled to left next scoring Chacin. Balladres hit a single and McDonough hit a ball scoring Lopez. Aquino then flied out to end the inning.
Closer B. Pena
Richmond mustered 2 hits off of Curve closer Brad Pena in the 9th, but that was the furthest it got, as Altoona secured yet another win to start the season 9-2, beating franchise record 8-2 set back in 2010 when they won the league title with Andrew McCutchen & Neil Walker.
In other news, Tanaka of Altoona is now no longer injured after not making the trip to Richmond. He will rejoin the team for a 3 game stand in Harrisburg starting tomorrow. Meanwhile for Richmond, the Reading Fightin Phils come into town tomorrow.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Harrisburg, PA -- A 3 run first inning sparked Altoona's 10th win of the year as they defeated Harrisburg 6-0. Harrisburg could only gather 2 hits on the night, but they were aided with 2 errors. The teams will play 2 more games each at 1:00 in the daytime beginning tomorrow.
Known for the capital building!
Altoona started right out of the gates as Rodriguez reached base on a fielder's choice after lead batter Tanaka singled and was thrown out. O'Malley lined a hit at the 3 spot while Rodriguez walked in for a run. Nelson then hit a single. A sacrifice by Aquino scored O'Malley, and a McDonough double scored Nelson. 4 Hits in the first inning for Altoona along with a mound visit from Harrisburg.
Altoona starting strong lately
Quick outs for Altoona all night
Scary moment for Harrisburg in the 4th when Altoona batter Gonzalez lined the pitcher in the arm for a hit. The pitcher would continue after a 5 minute break from action.
Gonzalez would eventually score after a Tanaka sacrifice fly. Harrisburg could not get the bats going as Altoona's pitching was continuously outstanding.
Pitching is a strong point for Altoona
In the 9th Altoona just added more insurance when McGuiness tripled, and PITCHER Mickey Storey singled for an RBI. O'Malley then sacrificed to allow Storey to score. Storey pitched the 8th and 9th innings allowing no hits.
With Bowie losing tonight, Altoona will now lead the Western Division by 3 games. 42 degree weather made this game the warmest for Altoona this year, but the team has been red hot. Altoona now has the second best record in all of the minors behind the 10-1 Frisco Rough Riders. Also, every team in the Eastern Division has a winning record, while only 2 of the 6 teams in the western division have one. Altoona's only 4 opponents all year are the 4 worst teams in the league, so it will be interesting to see how Altoona fairs when they eventually get to better competition.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
Harrisburg, PA -- Harrisburg was up 2-1 into the 6th inning, but Altoona found a way to get the bats going again, and prevail 5-2. Harrisburg looked stronger today than normal, but 2 errors proved to be costly. The two teams battle one more time tomorrow at 1:00.
Altoona hitter & baserunner
A Chacin single and Rodriguez single sparked the beginning of the game. Balladres grounded into a double play but Chacin reached home from third to give Altoona 1-0 lead. Harrisburg was not off to a slow start today, as Nunez tripled right from the start. Tran hit a fly ball deep enough to score Nunez and tie things up at 1. Harrisburg took their first lead of the series in the 3rd when Nunez singled and stole second, allowing him to score after a Gilley fielder's choice.
Nunez with a strong performance
It was Lon Jaschek, Altoona starter who stayed in to pitch the 6th after the Curve's 3 run 6th inning, who picked up the win. In that 6th inning, Balladres was able to reach first after the shortstop's throw sailed over the first baseman's head. Had this throw been good, the Curve could very well have not scored in the inning. No damage was done anyway, as Balladres got caught stealing second. However, Harrisburg did the exact same thing again as Gonzalez was able to reach first after a poor throw. He did not steal second though. Tanaka was walked on a full count, and McGuiness hit a single. Bases loaded with 1 out. O'Malley, who now has a 7 game hitting streak, slammed a double to left center scoring both Tanaka & Gonzalez. Lopez then lined a single that scored O'Malley before the inning finally ended.
O'Malley after the double
Harrisburg could not get going again
Just an inning later in the 7th, Altoona added another run after Balladres tripled to center, and Gonzalez's single scored Balladres. In comes closer Brad Pena to pitch the 9th. A strikeout, groundout, and flyout ended the game and Gave Pena his 4th save of the season.
The Curve have been under scrutiny recently as many teams in the league question the success of Altoona early in the year. A mixed reaction as some say that the Curve are a legitimate contender this year, and many argue that the teams they have played have been failing with other teams. Only time can tell though, however, not anytime soon. Altoona will play the 4 teams they just played again for the rest of the month. This Wednesday morning we will see the release of the May schedule.
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
