Maholm, Altoona rule Portland

Lefty allows three hits, fans season-best eight in shutout

By Michael Echan

July 1, 2005

Paul Maholm and Ben Shaffar combined on a three-hit shutout as Altoona beat Portland, 7-0, on Thursday at Hadlock Field.

The left-handed Maholm (5-2) turned in his best performance outing this year, giving up just three hits and a walk. He struck out eight through eight innings, both season highs. Shaffar made the ninth inning interesting, giving up a pair of walks before striking out the last batter to end the game and preserve the shutout.

Altoona got on the board quickly, scoring three runs in the first two innings, highlighted by Javier Guzman's two-run single with the bases loaded in the second. The Curve scored four more runs in the final two frames, with a leadoff home run in the eighth by Jose Bautista and a three-run ninth.

Charlie Zink provided Portland with a strong outing from the bullpen, pitching 5 1/3 innings, the most time he's spent on the hill since a May 6 start in which he went six innings. Zink held Altoona scoreless for five innings before tiring in the eighth and giving up the home run to Bautista.

The Curve head to Manchester, N.H. for a three-game set against the Fisher Cats, starting with a 6:35 p.m. ET Friday game. The Sea Dogs remain at Hadlock Field to welcome the Norwich Navigators for a four-game, three-day series beginning at 7 p.m. Friday in Portland, Maine. Portland and Norwich play a double-header Saturday to make up a May 8 rainout. -- Michael Echan/MLB.com