Curve Sweep Thunder

Yoslan Herrera (3-5) was tremendous for the Curve, earning the win after turning in six innings and allowing just one run on two hits. 

Things got more interesting following his departure.  Chris Hernandez entered for Altoona and promptly gave up a lead off double to Juan Miranda.  Matt Carson followed with an RBI triple off the wall in right field to cut the lead to 5-2.  A batter later, P.J. Pilliterre lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Carson and draw Trenton within two runs.

The comeback continued against Hernandez in the eighth as Brett Gardner singled with one out.  Andy Cannizaro followed with a ground ball to first base which was misplayed by Steven Pearce.  The Cure called on closer Matt Peterson, but Cody Ehlers singled in Gardner to cut the lead to one at 5-4.  Peterson then hit Miranda to load the bases but struck out both Carson and Colin Curtis to end the threat and preserve the lead.

Peterson struck out two and retired the side in the ninth to earn his league-leading 17th save of the season. 

The Curve got to Trenton starter Jeff Marquez in the second inning.  Pearce was again the catalyst, leading off the inning with a single.  He advanced to third on a double to left field by Adam Boeve and scored the game's first run on an Andrew McCutchen infield single.  Jason Delaney followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Boeve for a 2-0 Curve lead.

The Thunder got a run back in the fifth as Herrera walked Miranda to lead off the inning.  After Carson flew out to left field, Curtis singled to put runners at the corners.  Pilliterre followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Curve response came immediately in the bottom of the inning.  With two outs, Neil Walker singled and Pearce followed with mammoth blast to left field to stretch the lead to 4-1.

Pearce accumulated seven RBI in the series and now has 34 in the month of June. 

Marquez (8-5) allowed four earned runs in five innings to take the loss for Trenton, who have now lost a season-high seven consecutive games. 

With the win the Curve also laid claim to the season series with Trenton, which will conclude with a three-game series in Trenton beginning on Wednesday.

The Curve will conclude their eight-game homestand with a four-game series with the Bowie Baysox.  The series will begin on Saturday night at 7:05 PM.  LHP Josh Shortslef (2-7, 4.13) will make the start for the Curve against RHP Radhames Liz (5-4, 3.95) for Bowie.

The BCB gates will open early for the ballgame at 5:30 PM

-Altoona Curve