Espinal and Joe lead the way in win

CURVE, Pa. - After falling behind 1-0, the Altoona Curve came from behind for the second straight night to beat the Erie SeaWolves, 4-1, on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field in front of a crowd of 7,033.  

Altoona (24-15) beat Erie (18-21) to take the first two games of the three-game series and will go for the sweep on Sunday. The Curve are now 14-3 at Peoples Natural Gas Field in 2017, which is the best record in of the minors.
Tied 1-1 after the first inning, Altoona grabbed the lead in the sixth inning. Back-to-back doubles from Connor Joe and Edwin Espinal gave the Curve a 2-1 lead, with Espinal recording an RBI.
The Curve added to their lead in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two out, Jerrick Suiter ripped a two-run single to right field to extend Altoona's lead to 4-1.
Erie scored their only run in the first inning after Christin Stewart reached on an error by shortstop Kevin Newman , allowing Harold Castro to come around and score.
Altoona quickly tied the ballgame in the bottom of the first inning, after Espinal drove in Joe with an RBI single.
Joe finished 4-for-4 with three doubles, with four hits marking his career high.
Curve starter Brandon Waddell allowed just one unearned run in 4 2/3 innings while striking out three on four hits. Tate Scioneaux (Win, 5-1) pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. His five wins tie him for the Eastern League lead. Sean Keselica (Save 1), pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and retired the SeaWolves on nine pitches.
Erie starter Artie Lewicki (Loss, 2-2) allowed two earned runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Jairo Labourt and Waldis Joaquin combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the SeaWolves bullpen.
Altoona will continue the homestand on Sunday for the final game in the three-game series against Erie. The Curve will send right-hander Tanner Anderson  (2-3, 4.00) to the mound, while the SeaWolves will counter with left-hander Matt Crouse (3-1, 6.29). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Sunday is Armed Forces Day at Peoples Natural Gas Field, featuring a military-themed post-game Fireworks show. Kids will also be able to run the bases after the game. The Curve will be wearing Pirates-style Black & Gold Jerseys on Sunday, presented by Keller Engineers. The game-worn jerseys, to be worn every Sunday home game in 2017, will be auctioned off on August 27 at PNG Field with all proceeds befitting Blair County Respiratory Disease Society.
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