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Altoona Curve

Curve top Trenton in opener, 4-3

April 6, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA-- The Altoona Curve improved their record in Home Openers to 8-0 with a 4-3 victory over the Trenton Thunder on Thursday evening. Josh Sharpless (1-0) picked up the first win of the season after tossing two scoreless innings of relief. Rafael Alvarez paced the Curve offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, including the eventual game-winning run.

The Curve kicked off the scoring for the 2006 season in the bottom of the second inning. Adam Boeve started the frame with a line drive single to left and was chased all the way around when Vic Buttler smashed a triple off of the centerfield wall, giving Altoona the early 1-0 edge. The lead was short-lived however, in the top of the third Trenton's Gabe Lopez banged a solo-home run off of the left-field foul pole to knot the game at 1-1.

It would remain that way thanks to solid outings from both starting pitchers. Mike Connolly made his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Curve, and allowed only one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out seven over five innings of work. When Connolly departed, the Thunder took advantage of the Curve bullpen quickly, as Trenton's Bronson Sardinha stroked a lead off single to set the table for Kevin Howard's third hit of the game, a two-run home run to right field, to give the Thunder a 3-1 advantage.

In the Curve's half of the sixth they responded with two runs of their own to once again draw even. Back-to-back singles from Craig Stansberry and Alvarez were followed by a walk of Travis Chapman to load the bags. Boeve took advantage of the opportunity with a two-RBI single to make the score 3-3.

After matching zeros in the seventh, the Curve jumped in front for good in the bottom of the eighth. Alvarez collected his third hit of the game, a triple off of the centerfield wall, and came around to score the go-ahead run courtesy of a Chapman RBI single. Sharpless shut the door on any hope of a Trenton rally, striking out the side in the ninth to polish off the Curve victory.

The Curve will take on the Thunder in the second game of a four-game set Friday evening at 6:35 pm. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive an All-Star Photo Ball, which will be the first of four All-Star themed giveaways. Great seats are still available and can be purchased in person at the Blair County Ballpark box office, over the phone by calling the Curve toll-free at 1-877-99-Curve or by Altoona.

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