Big inning dooms Curve in loss

CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve allowed six runs in the second inning and dropped the middle game of their series with the Portland Sea Dogs, 7-4, on Wednesday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The Curve (34-29) surrendered five hits and three walks in the second frame to Portland (29-31).
The Curve led 2-0 heading into the second. Deiner Lopez hit an RBI single to cut the lead in half. Later in the inning, Tzu-Wei Lin hit a bases-clearing, three-run double to give Portland a 4-2 lead.
Nick Longhi added to the lead with a run-scoring groundout, and Henry Urruita doubled home Rafael Devers to cap the six-run frame.
Five of those runs were charged to Curve starter Yeudy Garcia , (Loss, 2-5) who left the game after recording just four outs.
The Curve offense opened the scoring in the first inning when Connor Joe doubled home Anderson Feliz . Edwin Espinal followed with another double, scoring Joe to give Altoona a 2-0 lead.
After the big second inning for Portland, Rafael Devers added to the Sea Dogs' lead with a solo home run in the fourth off of Jared Lakind.
Down 7-2 in the fifth, Joe singles home Elvis Escobar and Espinal added a sac fly, drawing the Curve to within three runs.
Lakind come on in relief of Garcia in the second, pitching 2.2 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout. Tate Scioneaux was next to enter the game, throwing three perfect innings with three strikeouts. Buddy Borden came on and pitched two scoreless frames.
Portland starter Elih Villanueva (Win, 1-1) went six innings and allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three. Williams Jerez threw two perfect innings in relief with one strikeout. Bobby Poyner (Save, 2) pitched the final frame for Portland.
The Curve will wrap up their series with Portland on Thursday. Altoona will send right-hander Alex McRae (4-2, 3.88) to the hill. Portland will counter with lefty Trey Ball (1-5, 5.53). First pitch is scheduled for noon.
Wednesday will be Teacher Appreciation Day, as well as Successful Aging Day presented by Home Helpers and Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg. It will also be Thirstday, presented by Q94, with $2 specials on Yuengling 16 oz. draft beers and 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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