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Curve End Seven-Game Losing Skid with Sunday Victory

Oneil Cruz knocked his tenth home run of the season in the win
September 5, 2021

AKRON, OH – Mason Martin had two runs batted in with two hits as the Curve ended a season-long seven-game losing streak on Sunday in a 7-2 win over the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park. Martin’s two RBI came in the seventh inning on a chopping ground ball over the

AKRON, OH – Mason Martin had two runs batted in with two hits as the Curve ended a season-long seven-game losing streak on Sunday in a 7-2 win over the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park.

Martin’s two RBI came in the seventh inning on a chopping ground ball over the head of the second baseman and into right field, scoring Ji-Hwan Bae and Rodolfo Castro. Oneil Cruz scored on a wild pitch just moments before to give Altoona a three run seventh inning off reliever Skylar Arias.

Cruz crushed his tenth home run of the season out of the ballpark, an estimated 461 feet, off Akron starter Thomas Ponticelli in the third inning. It is the second time this season that Cruz has hit a home run that has estimated over 460 feet, and his first home run since July 1.

Altoona got on the board first in the second inning on a Cal Mitchell sacrifice fly to score Martin and give the Curve a 1-0 lead. Carter Bins gave Altoona a 3-0 lead on an RBI single later in the fourth inning, scoring Matt Fraizer. Fraizer also scored on a passed ball in the ninth to cap off the Curve scoring.

Akron struck for a run in fifth on a Will Brennan sacrifice fly off Noe Toribio. The Curve reliever allowed the lone run in 1.2 innings with two walks and a hit.

Altoona starter Trey McGough tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits with four strikeouts. Nathan Kirby and Shea Murray combined for 2.1 scoreless innings of relief before Cristofer Melendez allowed a run in the ninth on another sacrifice fly to Will Brennan. Melendez struck out one batter in the non-save situation.

The win marked the only victory for Altoona on the week as the Curve avoided the sweep in the Sunday victory. On the season, Altoona finishes 11-13 against the RubberDucks, going 5-7 at Canal Park and 6-6 at PNG Field.

The Curve return home for a six-game series with the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. RHP Roansy Contreras (3-1, 2.44) will make his first home start for Altoona since June 22 against Harrisburg, with LHP Joey Wentz (0-4, 3.67) slated to start for Erie.

For tickets or more information about Curve Baseball, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office. Additionally, the Stockyard Team Store is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during every home game and online 24/7/365.