Tag: Justin Wilson

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up with the Championship Game on Saturday.  The Scottsdale Scorpions beat the Peoria Javelinas 3-2.  Each team posted 7 hits, with RF Adam Loewen (Blue Jays) going 3-for-3 for the Javelinas.  Loewen's first single contributed to the Javelina's first run in the top of the 2nd, but the Scorpions came back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, which included an RBI single by RF Bryce Harper (Nationals).  Loewen also singled in Peoria's 4th run rally, when they tied the score at 2-2.  Scottsdale took the lead again in the bottom of the frame, with a pair of doubles.  Starter Sammy Solis (Nationals) earned the win for Scottsdale with 4 innings of work, and reliever Cole Kimball (Nationals) earned the save.

The Mesa Solar Sox played their second-to-last game on Wednesday, losing to Scottsdale by a score of 6-0.  The Solar Sox were held to just 3 hits.  2B Josh Harrison had one of them -- a double to lead off the 4th inning.  CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) and 1B Josh Satin (Mets) each had a single.  Harrison was the first Mesa player to reach base in the game, after they went down in order for the first 3 innings.  But he was left on base when Scottsdale's Josh Collmenter (Diamondbacks) struck out the next three batters.  Nieuwenhuis singled and stole second base in the 5th, but the other three batters in that inning struck out too.  Satin singled in the 8th, but was left on base.  The Solar Sox had their best chance in the 7th inning, when with one out, DH Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) reached base on a fielding error and RF Andrew Lambo walked (the only walk for the Solar Sox.  But C Tony Sanchez bounced into a force out, and a line out ended the inning.  

MESA SOLAR SOX  5,  PHOENIX DESERT DOGS  5   (TIE)
 
Starter Justin Wilson pitched into the 4th inning and allowed 2 runs, but the game ended in a tie.  That means that the Solar Sox will not be able to catch up to the Scottsdale Scorpions, who have clinched the Arizona Fall League's Eastern Division.  The Solar Sox have three games remaining.  The Scorpions will play the championship game on Saturday, against either the Peoria Javelinas (1st place in the AFL West) or the Surprise Rafters (2nd place, 3 games behind with 3 games to play).

The Solar Sox got the early lead, with a run in the 1st inning.  2B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) singled up the middle, and a wild pitch put him on second base.  1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) also singled up the middle, and Flaherty raced around from second base to score.  
Wilson worked around a pair of singles in both the 1st and 2nd innings, to hold onto the slim lead.  But in the top of the 3rd, Wilson hit the first batter of the inning.  Then with two outs, he gave up a 2-run homer to LF Brandon Laird (Yankees), and the Desert Dogs had a 2-1 lead.  

A pair of doubles, by 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) and RF Andrew Lambo, drove in a run for the Solar Sox in the 4th inning, to tie the score.  A hit batter and a ground out by C Tony Sanchez moved the runners to second and third bases, but SS Jordy Mercer struck out to end the inning and leave both runners in scoring position.

Wilson began the 4th with a fly out and a walk, then was relieved by David Cales (Cubs), who got out of the inning without a run scoring.  Nicholas Carr (Mets) pitched a scoreless 5th inning for Mesa, then gave up two lead-off singles in the 6th.  A fielding error by Mercer brought in one run for Phoenix, and another single added a second run, giving the Desert Dogs a 4-2 lead.  

Jordy Mercer made up for his error in the 7th, when he led off with a solo home run.  DH Andrew Romine (Angels) singled following the homer, but was erased in a double play off the bat of Flaherty.  LF John Tolisano (Blue Jays) doubled and Rizzotti walked, but that attempt at a rally ended with a ground out.  The Solar Sox were closer, at 4-3.

Eric Neisen (Mets) finished the 6th inning for Carr, then pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning.  Brian Leach extended his perfect ERA streak with a perfect 8th inning -- two ground outs and a strikeout.  Eddie McKiernan (Angels) took over for Leach to begin the top of the 9th, and he gave up a double, then a fielding error by Rizzotti allowed that runner to score, and the Desert Dogs were back to a 2-run lead.  

Mercer began the bottom of the 9th with a line drive single into center field.  Romine walked, and Flaherty moved both up a base with a sacrifice bunt.  Mercer scored on Tolisano's RBI ground out, and Romine scored on a wild pitch.  But a strike out ended the inning and cut the rally short, and the game ended in a tie.  

Mesa Solar Sox� 7,� Surprise Rafters� 5

Isn't this what every hitter dreams about?� A grand slam in the bottom of the 9th, to win the game for your team!� The Solar Sox went into the bottom of the 9th behind by a score of 5-1.� 2B Josh Harrison led off the inning with a walk, and another walk to 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) and a single by 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) brought in one run.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis grounded to third, and was safe on the fielder's choice as Wood scored.� Rizzotti was replaced by pinch-runner Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), and a single by SS Jordy Mercer loaded the bases for RF Andrew Lambo. Lambo made the dream come true with a walk-off grand slam and the win for the Solar Sox.

Nieuwenhuis gave Mesa their first run on a solo homer in the 7th.� Mercer had also singled in the 2nd inning, but was erased when Lambo bounced into a double play.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox and pitched 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts.� Three of the walks plus a single gave Surprise one run in the 1st inning.� Another walk, a ground out, and an RBI single brought in a run in the 3rd inning.� Aaron Pribanic relieved Wilson, pitching the next 3 innings.� He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 4th, ending the inning with a timely strikeout.� He gave up a single in the 5th, but that runner was thrown out trying to steal second.� In the 6th, Pribanic gave up 2 more singles, but left both runners stranded.

Ryan Brasier (Angels) retired the side in order for the Solar Sox in the 7th.� BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) gave up 3 runs to the Rafters in the 8th.� He allowed a lead-off homer, then two more runs on a pair of walks, and a pair of singles.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) pitched the top of the 9th, allowing one single.� He was the pitcher of record when the Solar Sox rallied in the bottom of the inning, so he earned the win.

Mesa Solar Sox� 13,� Surprise Rafters� 5

The Solar Sox started and ended the game with a bang on Friday afternoon in Arizona.� They plated 5 runs in the top of the 1st, and 4 in the top of the 9th, with 2 more in both the 2nd and 5th innings, as they recorded 16 hits.� The Sox' pitchers held the Rafters to 7 hits.

The top of the 1st began with a double by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and a single by 3B Josh Harrison, which moved Valdespin to third base.� CF Jeremy Moore's (Angels) sacrifice fly brought in Valdespin.� DH Brandon Wood (Angels) lined a single into right field, where the Rafters' right fielder made a throwing error.� That let Harrison score and put Wood on second base.� C Tony Sanchez walked, and RF/CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) doubled, scoring Wood.� SS Jordy Mercer bounced back to the mound, and the runners had to hold.� Then 1B Josh Satin (Mets) lined another single into right field, and both Sanchez and Nieuwenhuis scored, though Satin was thrown out trying to reach second base on the throw in to the plate.

The Rafters scored one run in the bottom of the inning on a double, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly, making the score 5-1.� Mesa came right back to add 2 runs in the 2nd, again sparked by Valedspin and Harrison.� This time it was Valdespin who singled and Harrison who doubled (ground rule).� A fielder's choice and a throwing error by Surprise 1B Eric Hosmer (Team USA and Royals) allowed both runners to score.

Surprise continued to battle, scoring a run in the 3rd on a walk, a stolen base, and an RBI single.� A walk, a triple, and a single gave them 2 more runs in the 4th, and the score was 7 - 4 with the Solar Sox still ahead.� The Solar Sox got 2 runs back in the 5th.� Sanchez and Nieuwenhuisled off the inning with a pair of doubles, and Mercer followed with a single, then stole second base.� LF Tim Kennelly's ground out drove in Nieuwenhuis, to give the Sox a 9-4 lead.

Pitchers took over for the next several innings.� Aaron Pribanic pitched the 6th and 7th innings for Mesa, and he allowed the only two base runners over 4 innings for Surprise.� A single in the 6th was erased by a double play, and a walk in the 7th was left on base.� Harrison had the only hit for the Solar Sox, a single to lead off the 6th.

Peoria Javelinas� 11,� Mesa Solar Sox� 2

The Mesa Solar Sox were still dealing with the karma rebound from their blow-out win a few days ago, losing to the Javelinas by 9 runs today.� The Sox had three players who recorded two hits each:� 3B Josh Harrison, 1B Josh Satin (Mets), and C Kai Gronauer (Mets).� 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and RF Andrew Lambo added one hit each to the total.� Of those hits, only one (by Satin) was for extra bases -- a double.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox, and he struggled right away in the bottom of the 1st.� The first batter for Peoria reached base on an error by Sox 1B Satin.� The next two batters hit back-to-back singles, bringing in the first run of the game.� A wild pitch allowed the second run to score, and a stolen base and another single drove in the third run of the inning.� Wilson pitched two more innings, retiring the side in order in the 2nd, and allowing 2 walks but no runs in the 3rd.

Bradley Holt (Mets) took over for Wilson to begin the 4th inning.� He gave up another run on a double and a single, extending the Javelina's lead to 4-0.� Brian Leach pitched a scoreless 5th inning, but he was very wild -- he walked 4 batters.� The only reason no runs scored was that a double play (2B Valdespin to SS Jordy Mercer to 1B Satin) followed the first walk and erased that base runner.� Three consecutive walks on 15 pitches loaded the bases, but Leach struck out the next batter to end the inning.

The 6th inning sealed the Solar Sox' fate.� With Jacob Diekman (Phillies) on the mound for the Sox for the first time, the first 7 batters of the inning reached base safely.� A double, a single, a fielding error (1 run), two more singles (2 more runs), a triple (2 runs), and a single (1 run) gave the Javelinas a 10- 0 lead and sent Diekman to the showers.� Eric Niesen came on in relief, and got three outs to end the inning.� Peoria tacked on one more run in the 7th, with Nicholas Carr (Mets) on the mound for Mesa.� Carr also had a wild day, giving up a single then three consecutive walks to force in a run.� Ryan Brasier (Angels) pitched the final inning for Mesa, allowing one walk, but no runs.

The Solar Sox had at least one base runner on in every inning but the 4th.� They only scored in the 8th, when Gronauer singled and Valdespin walked, then Harrison loaded the bases with his second single of the game.� Mercer's sacrifice fly brought in Gonauer.� Lambo followed with a single, plating Valdespin, and that was all the Solar Sox would get.

Other Sox notes:

OF Brett Jackson (Cubs) has had to leave the Solar Sox, due to an infection in his right lower leg.� He will not be able to participate in the rest of the AFL schedule, but is expected to be healed up and ready to go in time for spring training.

The AFL's version of the All-Star game, the Rising Stars Game, will be played on Saturday evening.� It will be the East Division (the Solar Sox, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, and the Scottsdale Scorpions) against the West Division (the Peoria Javelinas, the Peoria Saguaros, and the Surprise Rafters).�� Mesa's C Tony Sanchez is the only Pirates' representative on the Rising Star team.� The game will begin at 9 pm (Eastern time), and will be broadcast on MLB tv and MLB.com.

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Peoria Javelinas� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 4

Josh Harrison has put his slow start in Arizona well behind him.� He continued his hitting tear with 3 more hits today (a double and two singles) with an RBI.� He now has 13 hits over his last 4 games (.684) and 16 in his last 7 games (.500).� The Solar Sox lost to the Javelinas today, but it wasn't because Harrison wasn't doing his part.

SS Jordy Mercer, who had 2 hits today, was the only Mesa batter to reach base in the first two innings, when he walked.� Justin Wilson, getting the start for the Solar Sox, worked around a single in the top of the 1st and around a fielding error in the 2nd inning, but kept Peoria from scoring in those innings.� Each team scored one run in the 3rd.� Javelina's Cord Phelps (Team USA and Cleveland Indians) singled and stole second base in the top of the 3rd, then scored on Nate Tenbrink's (Mariners) RBI single.� In the bottom of the inning, 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) led off with a walk and stole second base.� DH Andrew Romine's (Angels) single moved Vitters to third, and he scored on 2B Jordany Valdespin's ground out.� Harrison doubled in the inning, but did not score.

Aaron Pribanic took over for Wilson to begin the 4th. Wilson had allowed just that one run on 3 hits, no walks, with 3 strikeouts.� Pribanic pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing two singles in the 5th, but getting out of that jam with a double play.� Both Romine and Harrison singled in the 5th inning for Mesa, but both were left on base.� Mercer also singled in the 6th, and C Tony Sanchez walked, but both were left stranded.

But big trouble came in the top of the 6th, when BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) relieved Pribanic.� Rosenberg gave up a walk, then a 2-run homer.� Then with two outs, he gave up back-to-back solo homers to 1B Kody Clemens (Astros) and SS Matt Lawson (Mariners), and the Javelinas had a 5-1 lead.� Tyson Brummett (Phillies) pitched the 7th and kept the Javelinas from scoring.� Ryan Brasier (Angels) gave up another run in the 8th, on a double, a walk, and two wild pitches.� Robert Fish (Angels) pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 9th.

The Solar Sox went into the bottom of the 9th with a 6-1 lead, but they hadn't given up.� Romine led off with a ball to short, which was misplayed, allowing him to reach first safely.� Valdespin singled, and Romine made it to third.� Valdespin stole second, and when Harrison singled, Romine scored and Valdespin advanced to third.� CF Jeremy Moore's (Angels) sacrifice fly brought in Valdespin.� Singles by 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) and Mercer drove in Harrison with the third run o fthe inning.� After a strikeout (out #2), Sanchez walked to load the bases.� Andrew Lambo came in to pinch-run for Sanchez, but Vitters grounded to short, and Lambo was forced out to end the game with the Solar Sox coming in a little short.

Sanchez walked twice but had no hits in 3 other at-bats (average .267).� Harrison went 3-for-5 (average at .360) and Mercer went 2-for-4 with a walk (average at .308).� Lambo is hitting .314, though he did not have an at-bat tonight.

Peoria Saguaros� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 2

A tough first inning for starter Justin Wilson put the Solar Sox into an early hole in Arizona Fall League play this afternoon.� The Saguaros began the game with three straight hits.� The first batter of the game, 2B Eduardo Escobar (White Sox), took Wilson's first pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run.� The second batter, CF Dave Sappelt (Reds), doubled, and the third batter, LF Leslie Anderson (Rays), singled through the hole into right field moving Sappelt to third base.� Then Wilson caught a break, when C Devin Mesoraco (Reds) flied out to center field.� Mesa CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) made the unexpected catch, then quickly threw the ball back to the infield, relayed from 1B Josh Vitters (Cubs) to 3B Brandon Wood (Angels), who was able to double off Sappelt.� A strikeout ended the inning for Wilson.� Wilson had a better second inning, retiring the side in order, with another strikeout.

Tyson Brummett (Phillies) relieved Wilson to begin the 3rd inning.� He also gave up one run, on a pair of doubles.� SS Andrew Parrino glanced a grounder off the glove of 1B Vitters and into right field, then Anderson drove him in with another double.� Brummett also went on to retire the side in order in his second inning on the mound.

The Solar Sox threatened in both the 2nd and 3rd innings.� RF Andrew Lambo opened the 2nd inning with a double into left field, then advanced to third on a ground out.� C Tony Sanchez made it Pirates on the corners when he was hit by a pitch (not in the face), but both were left on base when 2B Josh Harrison popped out.� The Sox loaded the bases in the 3rd on walks to DH Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and Moore, then after a double steal, Wood walked.� But Lambo struck out and Vitters popped up to end the inning with all three runners stranded.

Finally, the Solar Sox got going in the 5th inning, taking advantage of two errors to tie the score. WIth two outs, Moore singled and stole second base.� A throwing error by C Mesoraco on the stolen base let Moore advance to third base.� Wood Doubled, driving in Moore easily.� A passed ball put Wood on third base.� When Lambo grounded to first and the Peoria 1B Chris Parmelee (Twins) made a throwing error, Wood also scored.

The tie did not last long.� Nicholas Carr (Mets) pitched a scoreless 5th, but gave up a 2-run homer to 3B Henry Wrigley (Rays) in the 6th.� Eric Niesen took over for the 7th, and he also surrendered 2 runs, on two singles and a 2-RBI double.� Eddie McKiernan (Angels) pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the 8th -- a single, two strikeouts, two walks, and a fly out.

The Solar Sox had lone singles in three of their last four innings:� by Sanchez in the 6th, by LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) in the 8th, and by SS Andrew Romine (Angels) in the 9th.� All three were left on base.

Josh Harrison was hitless in 4 at-bats (.161 average).� Lambo went 1-for-4 with a double (.263) and Sanchez went 1-for-3 (.318).

Mesa Solar Sox� 10,� Peoria Saguaros 1

RF Andrew Lambo singled and doubled for the Solar Sox, who used a 6-run 4th inning to overwhelm the Saguaros in Arizona Fall League play this evening.

After 3.5 scoreless innings, the Solar Sox opened the bottom of the 4th with a single by DH Brandon Wood (Angels), a walk to 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies), and a 3-run homer by 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs).� Andrew Lambo followed the homer with a double, and C Tony Sanchez walked.� A grounder to first forced Sanchez out at second base, but left Lambo on third and LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) on first base.� 2B Jordany Valdespin's (Mets) single drove in Lambo, and a wild pitch put the runners on second and third.� SS Andrew Romine (Angels) walked to load the bases, and Peoria changed pitchers.� CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) greeted the new pitcher with an RBI single, and a walk to Wood forced in the 6th run of the inning.� A double play ended the inning, with Mesa on top 6-0.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox.� He pitched 2 scoreless inning, working around a single in each inning and a walk in the 1st.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) added two more scoreless innings.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs) gave up Peoria's only run in the 5th, on a single, a walk, a passed ball by Sanchez, and an RBI ground out.� Carpenter gave up a lone single in the 6th inning, but kept the Saguaros from scoring again.� Brian Leach pitched the 7th, working around a double.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) and Eddie McKiernan (Angels) each threw a scoreless inning to finish up for the Solar Sox.

The Solar Sox just kept going.� In the 5th, Lambo singled, then moved to third base on a fielding error, and scored on Valdespin's RBI single through the hole into right field.� Singles by Romine and Moore, combined with another fielding error added another run in the 6th.� Valdespin walked to open the 8th inning.� Romine reached on a fielder's choice, with Valedspin safely at second base. Moore singled again, driving in Valdespin.� Pinch hitter Tim Kennelly (Phillies) singled to give the Sox bases loaded.� Rizzotti flied out to center field, but too short for Romine to tag up.� Vitters came through, though, with a fly ball long enough for Romine to score.

Wilson did not pitch long enough to qualify for the win -- that went to Smit.� Lambo was 2-for-5, and Sanchez was 0-for-3 with a walk.

The Arizona Fall League takes Sundays off.� The Solar Sox will be back at it again on Monday.

The remainder of the Pirates' contingent for the Arizona Fall League was announced today.� Pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox this fall will be Justin Wilson, Aaron Pribanic, and Brian Leach. While all three have been starters during the regular season, it appears that Wilson will have a starting role, and Pribanic and Leach will be mostly used in relief.

The pitchers will join catcher Tony Sanchez, infielders Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, and outfielder Andrew Lambo on the Solar Sox.

The AFL season begins in three weeks, on Tuesday October 12th, and runs through Thursday November 18th.� We'll be following our Pirates' farmhands in their Arizona adventures.

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The Carribbean winter leagues will also be starting up in October:� Mexican Pacific League on Oct 12th, Dominican League on Oct. 22nd, Venezuelan League on Oct 12th, and Puerto Rican League on Oct 22nd.� We'll also watch the Pirates' players, farmhands, and friends in those leagues.

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Pirates' John Bowker made another start for the Pirates tonight (Tuesday), this time in right field.� He went 0-for-4 with an RBI, driving in a run in the 1st inning with a grounder to short, which was misplayed for an error.� Bowker has gone 4-for-10 in his last three games, with a homer, and 3 RBI.

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Altoona Curve� 5,� Trenton Thunder� 2 ...����� (box)

The Altoona Curve clinched the Eastern League Championship tonight, defeating the Trenton Thunder in Game 4 of the championship series in Trenton.� Starter Tony Watson, who was also the winning pitcher a week ago when the Curve won the divisional series, earned the win again tonight.� Closer Daniel Moskos (photo, while with the Indy Indians), earned his 5th save of the playoffs.� He had a save in each of the Curve's three wins in the championship series, and also in two of their three wins in the divisional series.� The offensive star of the game was DH Jim Negrych, who went 3-for-5 and led the way with 3 RBI.

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Watson pitched 6 innings and struck out 10 Thunder batters.� He gave up 2 runs on only 5 hits and 2 walks.� The Thunder began the bottom of the 1st with a single off the bat of CF Austin Krum, who also stole second base.� After two strikeouts, Watson walked C Austin Romine, but then struck out the next batter, leaving the two runners on base.

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Watson gave up two hits and a run in the 3rd.� 2B Matthew Cusick led off with a triple into right field.� Two outs later, he scored on RF Daniel Brewer's line drive single into right field, and the Thunder had a 1-0 lead.

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The Curve had put one runner on base in the 1st, when 3B Josh Harrison reached base on an error, then stole second base.� In the 2nd, Negrych hit a 2-out single up the middle, then CF Jose De Los Santos walked, but all three of them were left on base.� When the Thunder made another fielding error in the 4th, the Curve were able to capitalize.� 1B Matt Hague led off with a walk, then a fielding error by the Thunder first baseman put LF Andrew Lambo on first and Hague on third.� That brought up the offensive hero, Jim Negrych (photo, with the Indy Indians).� Negrych slapped a grounder into left field for a 2-RBI single, bringing in both Hague and Lambo to give the Curve a 2-1 lead.

The Curve rallied again, with help from Negrych, in the 5th.� Harrison led off with a line drive into center field, and he moved to second base on SS Jordy Mercer's ground out.� Hague lifted a single into right field, and Harrison raced around from second.� When the throw in from the outfield ticked off the catcher Romine's glove, Harrison scored and Hague advanced to second base.� Hague moved up to third base on Lambo's ground out.� The Thunder intentionally walked C Hector Gimenez, and Negrych again came to the plate with a runner in scoring position.� Negrych lined into left field, with the Trenton LF Damon Sublett giving chase.� Sublett went for the sliding catch -- and missed.� As the ball went on behind Sublett, Negrych was safely into second base with a double, and Hague scored, giving the Curve a 4-1 lead.

Altoona Curve� 5,� Trenton Thunder� 0 ...������ (box)

The Curve took advantage of the unexpected day off yesterday, and came back to action ready to roll.� Three Curve pitchers combined to shut out the Thunder in Trenton, as the Curve took a 2-games-to-one lead in the 5-game Eastern League Championship Series.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Curve, pitching 7 innings and allowing only 5 hits and a walk, with 3 strikeouts.� Wilson had to work around at least one runner on base in every inning but one, as he scattered the hits and the walk, and also had a batter reach third base on a fielding error by Anthony Norman in right field.� The Thunder put two runners on base in the 3rd inning, when Wilson got two outs, then gave up a single and a walk.� That was the closest the Thunder came to hurting Wilson, though, and he calmly got a fly out to end the inning.� Wilson was also able to take advantage of timely double plays to erase base runners in the 6th and 7th innings.� He earned his second post-season win, and increased his total of post-season scoreless innings to 13.

LF Andrew Lambo was the first to provide Wilson with some run support, when he blasted a solo home run, rising over the left-center field wall in the 2nd inning.

The Curve batters were quiet for the next two innings, until DH Jim Negrych walked to start a two-out rally in the 5th.� A passed ball put Negrych on second base, and CF Jose De Los Santos singled to second base, moving Negrych to third.�� Norman slipped a grounder just out of the reach of the Trenton second baseman, scoring Negrych.� 2B Chase d'Arnaud was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.� That gave 3B Josh Harrison the opportunity to drive another single into right field, bringing in both De Los Santos and Norman, and the Curve had a 4-0 lead.

Tonight's game Eastern League playoff game between the Altoona Curve and the Trenton Thunder was postponed due to rain.� After waiting for about 35 minutes past the scheduled start time, with no end in sight to the rain, the game was called.� Luckily for the starting pitchers, this means that neither of them got burned by getting all warmed up and starting, then only getting in an inning or two before having to stop.� Justin Wilson will make the start tomorrow, and Game 4 will be played on Saturday.� If a Game 5 is needed, that will be played on Sunday.

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In the International League playoffs.... Durham avoided being sent home with a 3-2 win over Columbus.� With the game tied at 2-2 going into the bottom of the 9th, the Clippers helped the Bulls load the bases with a walk, a single, and an intentional walk, with no outs.� A sacrifice fly brought in the winning run.� The Clippers lead the best-of-5 series, 2 games to 1.

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The Pirates lost to the Mets, 6-2, and a few recent Indy Indians got into the game.� John Bowker again got the start in right field.� He had an RBI single in the 2nd inning, bringing in the Pirates' first run of the game.� Alex Presley led off the 7th inning with a pinch-hit single, He dropped down a bunt on the first pitch he saw, and by the time the Mets' catcher Josh Thole could get to it, the speedy Presley was already crossing first base.� Steven Jackson took the mound to begin the 8th, but after one out, he gave up a single and a walk, then got a ground out that moved both runners into scoring position.� Justin Thomas relieved Jackson, and he gave up a 2-RBI double to Angel Pagan.� Jackson was charged with both runs.

RHP Brian Bass, who was DFA'ed this week, has cleared waivers.� He accepted an assignment to AAA Indianapolis, but it's a paper move as he will be a minor league free agent when the season ends.