Altoona struggles with runners on base in loss to Thunder

CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve recorded just six hits and fell to the Trenton Thunder, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The Curve (38-31) dropped the middle game of the three-game series against the Thunder (47-24), setting up the rubber match in the finale on Thursday.
Trenton scored first in the fourth inning off of Dario Agrazal (Loss, 0-1), who made his Double-A debut. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Dante Bichette, Jr. hit an RBI single to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Rashad Crawford hit into a double play that produced another run to extend Trenton's lead to 2-0.
Altoona's only run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Edwin Espinal lined an RBI double to the gap, scoring Kevin Newman for his team-leading 44^th RBI of the season.
Trenton walked 11 Curve hitters, but Altoona left 11 men on base and went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Agrazal allowed two earned runs on three hits in four innings. Tate Scioneaux pitched four scoreless innings of relief and Montana DuRapau pitched a scoreless ninth inning out of Altoona's bullpen.
Trenton starter Ronald Herrera (Win, 8-0) pitched 5.2 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits. Colten Brewer (Save, 5) earned the two-inning save, giving up one hit and striking out two.
The Curve will continue their homestand on Thursday with the finale in the three-game series against Trenton. Altoona will send right-hander Austin Coley (1-2, 3.21) to the hill, while left-hander Josh Rogers (4-0, 3.19) will get the nod for the Thunder. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Thursday will be Law Enforcement Night, presented by WTAJ. It will also be Peoples Natural Gas Customer Appreciation Night. Thirstday, presented by Q94 will be featured on Thursday, with $2 specials on Bud Light 16 oz. draft beers & regular-size sodas, plus $1 hot dogs.
For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office.
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