Altoona Curve Rally Falls Short at Hands of Akron Aeros in 6-4 Loss

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – AKRON, OH - A valiant comeback attempt by the Curve Thursday afternoon fell short, and Altoona fell short for the fifth time in a row, dropping a 6-4 contest to the Akron Aeros. 

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, the Curve collected three consecutive singles from Jason Delaney, Brad Corley and Anthony Webster.  Webster's single knocked in Delaney to cut the Curve deficit to two.  Altoona had the tying run in scoring position, but Akron closer Edward Buzachero was able to notch his first save of the season, inducing a Luis Cruz groundout to end the game.

Curve starter Josh Hill (3-5) gave up three runs to the Aeros in the bottom of the third inning, but the Curve came storming back and chased Akron starter Chuck Lofgren from the game.  Altoona put a trio of runs on the board in the top of the fifth, as they used Lofgren's wildness to fuel the comeback.  In the inning, Lofgren plunked three batters and the Curve were able to capitalize by way of a Jonel Pacheco two-run single.  Jack Wilson, one of the hit batsmen in the inning came around to score the third run of the frame when Lofgren uncorked a wild pitch

Wilson came to the plate four times in the contest for Altoona and was able to reach base three times.  Along with getting hit by a pitch, he finished the afternoon 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. 

After the Curve tied the game in the fifth, Akron scored three unanswered runs, as the Aeros grabbed one each in the fifth, seventh and eighth.  Aeros reliever Eric Stiller (1-0) stymied the Curve over 2 1/3 hitless innings to earn the win. 

Altoona committed a season-high four errors during the contest, which directly led to four of Akron’s six runs. 

The Curve will try to right the ship Friday evening as they return to Blair County Ballpark to open a four-game series against the Trenton Thunder (Double-A/Yankees) at 7:05 p.m.  Southpaw Corey Hamman, (0-5, 4.37) still in search of his first win of the year will pitch for Altoona, while Trenton will counter with lefty Chase Wright (6-1, 2.70). 

A bevy of fun-filled promotions and unprecedented giveaways will highlight the four-game homestand over the Memorial Day weekend, including a post-game fireworks show presented by U.S. Foodservice on Friday.  Kids will also have a chance to run the bases following the game, courtesy of Thomas Chevrolet of Bedford. 

Box Score: http://altoonacurve.com/meetteam/stats/index.html?autoload=boxscore&gid=2008_05_22_altaax_akraax_1&sportcode=aax

Play-by-Play: http://altoonacurve.com/meetteam/stats/index.html?autoload=gamelog&gid=2008_05_22_altaax_akraax_1&sportcode=aax

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