Curve can't hold lead in ninth, fall to Squirrels
Win: Braulio Lara (2-0)
Loss: Jhondaniel Medina (3-4)
Save: --
TOG: 2:48
Attendance: 9, 071
CURVE, Pa. -- The Altoona Curve surrendered another late lead and lost, 5-4, on Friday night to the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond. The Squirrels scored three runs in the ninth to walk off against the Curve.
The Curve (62-57) led late for the second straight game, but the bullpen couldn't hold the advantage as the Flying Squirrels (60-58) plated the game-winning run with a bases-loaded walk by Austin Slater in the ninth.
With the Curve leading 4-2, Richmond scored on a wild pitch by Jhondaniel Medina (Loss, 3-4) and tied the game with a pinch-hit RBI single by Rando Moreno. After a single and a walk loaded the bases, Medina walked Slater to plate the game-ending run.
Braulio Lara (Win, 2-0) pitched a perfect top of the ninth for Richmond with two strikeouts.
After falling behind 2-1 in the third, Sebastian Valle put the Curve in front with a two-run homer in the fourth. Valle finished the the game 2-for-3 with a walk.
Eric Wood extended the lead to 4-2 with an RBI single in the sixth, his second hit of the game.
Curve starting pitcher Steven Brault did not earn a decision, snapping a string of five consecutive starts won. He allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings on three hits with five strikeouts. Over his last six starts, Brault is now 5-0 with a 1.22 ERA.
-CURVE-