Cat Scratch Fever: Curve Fall to Rock Cats 6-1

Altoona Offense Didn't Collect Hit until Sixth in Loss to New Britain

By Mike Baggerman

August 23, 2014

Curve, Pa. - The Altoona Curve offense was held to just four hits by New Britain pitching in their 6-1 loss on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve were no-hit through 5.1 innings and will attempt to take the rubber game on Sunday evening.

New Britain got on the board in the first inning after a slow start by Curve starter Zack Dodson. The southpaw hit the leadoff batter and walked a man with one out. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, All-Star Reynaldo Rodriguez hit a double down the right field line to bring home Levi Michael.

The Rock Cats scored two more times in the fourth to take a 3-0 advantage over the Curve. The inning featured a one-out single from Eddie Rosario followed by a double to left by Brandon Waring which put the two men in scoring positon. Stephen Wickens hit an RBI groundout and Kyle Knudson lined a two-out single which brought home Waring.

After Altoona was held hitless through the first 5.1 innings, Jarek Cunningham broke up the no-hit bid from Rock Cats starter Jason Wheeler. The Curve third baseman doubled down the line in left and later scored on the first RBI this season for Ramon Cabrera since joining the Curve on August 13.

After Dodson exited the ballgame following the sixth, Stolmy Pimentel struggled in his second rehab outing with the Curve during his current stint on the Pirates disabled list. The reliever gave up a leadoff double, walked three batters including two with the bases loaded, and committed a fielding error on a bunt. The right hander, who is on the Pirates disabled list with an ankle injury, exited the ballgame after recording a popout. All told, Pimentel lasted a third of an inning and gave up three runs (one earned).

Zack Dodson (4-8) suffered a tough-luck loss for Altoona after he put up his seventh quality start of the season and his fourth straight. The southpaw gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings. Jason Summers (5-4) was terrific in his first career outing against the Curve by striking out eight batters over six innings of three-hit ball.

Stetson Allie saw his 23-game on-base streak come to an end with an 0-for-4 performance while Alen Hanson's team-best 27-game on-base streak remains intact after the Curve second baseman did not play in tonight's ballgame.

Sunday's 6 p.m. series finale between the Curve and Rock Cats will feature a jam-packed night of fun for all the fans at Peoples Natural Gas field. All the fans who come out to the game can enjoy the postgame fireworks show. During Sunday's game, the Curve players will wear special art-inspired jerseys and folks can partake in the Art-Inspired Jersey Auction with all proceeds benefiting the Altoona Symphony Orchestra as part of Day in the Arts. The series finale will feature Art in the Park at Peoples Natural Gas Field with fun arts and crafts for all kids who come to the ballpark when the gates open at 3:30 p.m. Plus, after the game, kids can run the bases.

In the series finale on Sunday night, the Curve will toss LHP Jhonathan Ramos (5-5, 3.75) and he will be opposed by New Britain southpaw Pat Dean (7-9, 5.23). Pregame on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM, and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Just five home games remain in the 2014 season. For tickets and information, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com, or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.