Donaldson homer, 'Ducks pitching sink Curve in game one
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron RubberDucks defeated the Altoona Curve, 5-2, in the first game of the Eastern League Division Series with superior pitching and a go-ahead, two-run homer in the third inning by former American League MVP Josh Donaldson on Wednesday at Canal Park.
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron RubberDucks defeated the Altoona Curve, 5-2, in the first game of the Eastern League Division Series with superior pitching and a go-ahead, two-run homer in the third inning by former American League MVP
The Curve brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning after a pair of two-out walks by
After Dowdy was replaced by
Altoona's offense was a stagnant 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position as Akron's bullpen kept five Curve baserunners from scoring over the final three innings.
A pair of aggressive plays on the bases by
Akron took the lead for good with a three-run third inning.
The RubberDucks plated an unearned run in the fifth after a pair of walks by
Vieaux completed five innings and struck out three batters with three total walks in the game.
The Curve got that run back and pulled within two in the sixth when Tucker started the inning with a triple and scored on a groundout by Hayes.
The 'Ducks added on to their lead with small ball in the seventh. Clement hit a lead-off single off
Wednesday's defeat in Akron drops the Altoona franchise to 1-10 at Canal Park all-time during the Eastern League playoffs. Altoona's lone postseason victory in Akron to date occurred in game two of the 2003 ELDS with a 4-3 win, which was the Curve's second playoff game in franchise history.
The Curve and RubberDucks play game two of the Eastern League Division Series on Thursday with first pitch at Canal Park set for 6:35 p.m. Right-hander
The series shifts to Peoples Natural Gas Field beginning with game three on Friday. For tickets or more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office.
-CURVE-