truebluefan

ALTOONA - The Curve lost their second straight game to the Erie SeaWolves Saturday night, falling 3-2, in front of 7,872 fans at Blair County Ballpark. Knotted at two apiece in the top of the ninth, Erie catcher Danilo Sanchez knocked in the winning run for the SeaWolves with an RBI double. Prior to Saturday's contest, the backstop was 1-for-19 (.053) against Curve pitching this season.

After waiting until the sixth inning to score in Thursday's game, the Curve wasted no time on Friday, and scored before registering an out. Left fielder Nyjer Morgan, who singled to leadoff the first for Altoona, scored on a RBI triple by the shortstop Brian Bixler. It was Bixler's third triple and ninth RBI since joining the Curve on June 29th. The 23-year old finished 3-for-4 on the night.

The SeaWolves would answer right back in the top of the second. After Curve starter Jason Roach walked catcher Sanchez to load the bases, first baseman, Kelly Hunt, drove in Don Kelly with an RBI single to center. Roach escaped further damage after forcing the following batter, Vince Blue, to bounce into the inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Simon Pond and Dave Parrish equalized an Erie run in the top of the fourth inning by hitting back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the frame to knot the game at two apiece. Parrish extended his hitting streak to six games and has reached base safely in 13 consecutive contests. During his hit streak, the backstop is 11-for-23 (.478).

Curve reliever Franklin Perez pitched three shutout innings of relief Saturday night, extending his streak of consecutive innings pitched without allowing a run to 18 1/3. It marks the longest consecutive shutout streak of the season. The franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings is 20 1/3, set by Chris Spurling during the 2002 season.

Brandon Knight, the leading closer of the Eastern League, suffered his fourth loss of the year after allowing the game-winning run to score in the top of the ninth.

Erie's Eulogio De La Cruz picked up the win for the SeaWolves, his second on the year. He pitched a shutout ninth inning for Erie, allowing one hit.

Roach received a no-decision for his efforts after pitching five full innings, giving up two runs on six hits. The 30-year old struck out three and walked two. Friday marked his first start since being sent from Indianapolis (AAA) on Thursday. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 3.54 ERA in 10 games (9 starts) with the Indians.

Saturday night, the Curve continue their unique and innovative Retro Celebrity Series with an appearance by Jerry Mathers, who is best known for his role as "Beaver Cleaver" on the hit show Leave it to Beaver. Left-hander Shane Youman (5-2, 1.57) will get the start for the Curve against Erie's Virgil Vasquez (4-7, 4.00). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Great seats are still available for Saturday's game and can be purchased in person at the Blair County Ballpark box office, over the phone by calling the Curve toll-free at 877-99-Curve.