Another Close Defeat: Curve Drop Finale

Curve, Pa.-  The Altoona Curve were swept in the four-game series by the Akron RubberDucks after losing 5-4 Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve have dropped a season-high five straight games and will aim to right the ship on Monday against the Bowie Baysox.

Akron struck first by plating a run in the second inning on an RBI single by Jordan Smith. Then in their next turn at bat, the 'Ducks scored two on a bases loaded single by Joe Wendle and a sacrifice fly by Tony Wolters made it 4-0.

In the sixth, the Curve struck for their first run of the game. With one out, Keon Broxton continued his hot hitting with a solo blast to right-center to make it 4-1. Broxton's home run was the first for the left fielder as a member of the Pirates organization. Broxton finished the series 7-for-12 with a home run, double, triple, and four runs scored.

In the seventh, Altoona's offense tied it up. Willy Garcia hit a one-out single and advanced to third when Broxton hit a double down the left field line. Then, Drew Maggi crushed his first home run of the season over the left field wall and tied the game at four.

The 'Ducks took their final lead of the game in the eighth inning when Ronny Rodriguez hit an RBI double that scored Tony Wolters.

Curve starting pitcher Nick Kingham tossed six innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits. The right hander walked a pair of batters and struck out five but received a no-decision. Joan Montero (0-1) took the loss for the Curve after allowing the eighth inning run. Enosil Tejeda (1-0) received the win and Shawn Armstrong collected his fourth save for Akron.

Altoona will continue their homestand on Monday night in Curve, Pa. by welcoming in the Bowie Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles for the first time this season. Monday night's lid-lifter will be a special Mirror Monday presented by the Altoona Mirror. The Curve will be having a Cinco de Mayo celebration, with $0.55 cent tickets to the UPMC Health Plan Home Run Junction OF Reserved Seats, $5 Dos Equis Drafts, and Buy One, Get One Free Nachos and Cheese.

RHP A.J. Morris (1-0, 1.47) will get the start for Altoona in the first game of the Bowie series and he will be opposed by LHP Anthony Vasquez who will be making his Double-A debut for the Baysox. Vasquez was 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in two games with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCuve.com, call 877.99.CURVE, or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.