Altoona Curve Fall to Akron Aeros 5-3 - AA, Eastern League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – AKRON, OH- Brad Corley's two-run home run capped a three-run Altoona first inning, but the Curve failed to score another run and fell to the Akron Aeros, 5-3, Monday evening before 8,927 fans at Akron's Canal Park.

After vaulting to the 3-0 advantage, the Curve had several opportunities to extend their lead, but stranded 10 runners on base, including seven in scoring position.  

Altoona plated their three first-inning runs against Aeros' starter Ryan Edell, but Edell and relievers J.D. Martin, Jeff Stevens and Randy Newsome combined to blank the Curve over the final eight innings.

Akron tied the game with a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth against right-hander Derek Hankins, who was making his first appearance since April 21, when he suffered bruised ribs after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Aeros' outfielder Ryan Goleski in a game at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona.  Akron's two runs in the fifth came on a home run off the bat of catcher Chris Gimenez -- his fourth of the season.

The Aeros took over the lead in the seventh inning against newly added Curve reliever Evan Meek, scoring a pair of runs on an RBI double by Wes Hodges and a run-producing groundout by Stephen Head.  Meek (0-1), who opened the season pitching in the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen, was handed the loss in his first mound appearance since April 30 at the New York Mets.

Martin (4-2) worked two scoreless innings to earn the win for Akron.  Newsome was credited with his 11th save in as many chances after working a scoreles ninth.

Offensively for Altoona, all nine starters produced at least one hit as part of a 12-hit night, including Luis Cruz who led all Curve batters with three hits in four at-bats.  Corley's first-inning home run was his second in as many games.  In Altoona's last game on Saturday at Harrisburg, the Pirates' 2005 second round selection ended his season-opening, 38-game homerless drought.  

The Curve and Aeros will play the second game of their four-game series Tuesday evening at Canal Park.  Altoona will send right-hander Jimmy Barthmaier (2-2, 5.35) to the mound against Akron righty Kevin Dixon (1-3, 5.26).

The Curve are expected to be with the services of Pittsburgh Pirates' shortstop Jack Wilson, who is slated to join Altoona Tuesday to continue his minor league injury rehabilitation assignment.  He was placed on Pittsburgh's 15-day Disabled List on April 6 with a strained left calf muscle.  The slick-fielding Wilson last appeared for the Altoona Curve during the 2000 season after being acquired in a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals.

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