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Thunder's Aceves silences Curve

Pitches first Eastern League nine-inning shutout this year
May 25, 2008
Different league, same result for Alfredo Aceves.

Making his second Double-A start, Aceves tossed a four-hitter Sunday for the first nine-inning complete-game shutout in the Eastern League this season as the Trenton Thunder blanked the Altoona Curve, 1-0.

The 25-year-old right-hander scattered four singles without a walk and struck out six to remain unscored upon since being promoted from Class A Advanced Tampa. He has not allowed a run over 21 innings in three starts dating to his time in the Florida State League.

"He had a good mix of four quality pitches," said Thunder pitching coach Scott Aldred, referring to Aceves' fastball, cut fastball, curve and changeup.

"He kept the ball down and had great command. He's pitched two real nice games for us."

Aceves (1-0), a native of Mexico, was promoted to Trenton after going 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA in eight starts for Tampa. In his Double-A debut on Tuesday, he scattered five hits over seven frames but did not figure in the Thunder's 3-0 win over Reading.

On Sunday, Aceves retired the first nine hitters and ended up facing only three over the minimum. He allowed two runners to reach third base -- in the fourth and eighth innings.

Aceves, who signed with the Yankees out of the Mexican League, improved to 5-1 with a 1.57 ERA across the two levels this season.

Asked if he was surprised by Aceves' quick success at a higher level, Aldred said, "Not at all."

The Thunder (32-16) scored the game's lone run in the fourth as Colin Curtis reached on a two-base throwing error by rehabbing shortstop Jack Wilson and came home on a double by Edwar Gonzalez, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

Former 13th-round pick Jimmy Barthmaier (2-4) was the hard-luck loser, allowing an unearned run on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts over seven innings.

Wilson had two of the four hits for Altoona (16-30).

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com.