Grilli Solid But Curve Fall, 9-0
Win: Matt Packer (12-9)
Loss: David Bromberg (6-12)
Save: --
TOG: 2:42
Attendance: 6,595
Curve, Pa.-The Akron Aeros used four home runs to defeat the Altoona Curve 9-0 on Saturday night in front of 6,595 fans. Jason Grilli tossed a scoreless first inning in his first rehab appearance for the Curve.
Grilli allowed a lead-off single to the Aeros' Tyler Naquin and then set down the next three men that he faced. He struck out Jesus Aguilar for the final out of the first inning. The right-hander needed just 13 pitches to work through the first inning nine of which were strikes.
David Bromberg (6-12) picked up right where Grilli left off and retired the first 10 men that he faced before he issued a one-out walk to Adam Abraham in the top of the fifth inning. Jake Lowery and Giovanny Urshela also worked walks to load the bases. Ronny Rodriguez grounded into a force out that scored Abraham to make it 1-0.
Akron hit three home runs in the top of the sixth inning to make it, 6-0. They would add a fourth home run in the top of the eighth that capped the scoring for the night.
Matt Packer (12-9) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the victory. Kyle Crockett, Austin Adams, and Jeff Johnson combined to finish the shutout for the Aeros (67-72). It marked the 15th time this season that the Curve (62-78) have been shutout.
The Curve homestand continues tomorrow night and a postgame fireworks show will follow the game. It is the final Community Collection Day of the season. We will be collecting food at the gates for St. Vincent De Paul Society Soup Kitchen Food Drive. Funds and awareness will be raised for the Lung Disease Foundation of Central of Pennsylvania with a silent auction of great memorabilia. Fans can also purchase a ticket to enter a raffle to win the giant jersey that has been on display down the first baseline at all Curve home games this season. Kids can run the bases following the game as well.
LHP Nate Baker (3-4, 6.30) will take the mound for the Curve with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. Baker will make his sixth appearance against Akron this season and his second start. He'll be opposed by RHP Toru Murata (6-5, 3.79) for the Aeros. Murata has gone 2-1 in his first four starts against the Curve this season.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sunday night. For tickets and more information on the final two Curve home games of the season, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.