Righty Vance Worley was pretty much the story of the game last night.
Oh, that pop-up trot! The Altoona Curve batters were hapless against Worley through seven.
With Michael Taylor on third, Brian Stavisky grounds out to end a threat.Vance Worley combined with relievers Josh Shortslef and Sergio Escalona in a 2-0 shutout of the Altoona Curve last night at First Energy Stadium in Reading. Worley, a strapping righthander who wears very cool glasses on the mound, was strong. He walked the first batter of the game, then retired the next three. He allowed a single to the leadoff hitter in the second, then, using a fastball that was around 93 and an effective curve, set down the next 15. In the 7th, he allowed singles to the first two batters. Catcher Tuffy Gosewich picked off one at first, and Worley struck out the last two men he faced to end the inning and his night. He struck out seven and walked just one. It was a good outing for the 22-year-old, who was jumped this year to double-A.
Outfielder Michael Taylor, a big brown-eyed handsome man, also impressed, going three for four on the night. He doubled with resounding crack of the bat in the first, then scored on a Brian Stavisky single. Taylor also singled twice. He was part of a double steal in the third which allowed leadoff man Quintin Berry to score when the Curve catcher threw wildly to third.
OK, it's only April, and Worley and Taylor have barely started their professional careers, but wow they are looking good.
Some Reading area elementary students did a sweet, sweet job with the national anthem. Attendance was under 2,000, but the kids in the stands provided energetic cheers and chants all game long.
