Early Lead Squandered As 'Cats Lose In Altoona

Altoona, PA - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got on the board early but couldn't add to their tally Friday, as the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate dropped game two of a four-game series with the Altoona Curve by a final score of 7-1 at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
New Hampshire struck for their only run of the game in the opening frame. Anthony Alford was hit by a pitch with two outs in the inning, stole second base and scored when Ryan McBroom singled him home.
Altoona tied the game in the third. The Curve had the bases loaded with one out against 'Cats starter Francisco Rios (L, 3-4) when Elvis Escobar hit a line drive to deep right-centerfield. Jonathan Davis tracked it down with a full extension, Superman-esque dive to rob Escobar of extra bases and limit Altoona to just a sacrifice fly that made it 1-1.

The Curve took the lead for good in the fourth. With a runner on second base and two outs, Jackson Williams lined a single off the first base bag that allowed the go-ahead run to come across to give Altoona a 2-1 lead.
A five-run seventh secured the win for the Curve. The Pirates affiliate sent nine men to the plate and hung a crooked number to pad their lead in a game they went on to win 7-1.
The series continues Saturday night in Altoona. Jon Harris (1-3, 5.94 ERA) will go for New Hampshire while Alex McRae (3-0, 1.96 ERA) is set to start for the Curve. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. and can be heard locally on AM 610 WGIR or online via iHeartRadio.