CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve earned a split in a double-header against the Trenton Thunder, dropping game one, 8-7, and winning game two, 5-1, on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve earned a split in a double-header against the Trenton Thunder, dropping game one, 8-7, and winning game two, 5-1, on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
The Curve (54-50) have pulled to within a half-game of first place in the E.L. West, while the Thunder (71-34) had their five-game winning streak snapped with the game-two loss.
Game One
In the eighth inning, Ryan McBroom blasted a go-ahead solo home run to straight away center field, his 15th of the year, to put Trenton ahead, 8-7.
Down 7-5 in the sixth, Anderson Feliz hit a two-run single to tie the game and force extras.
Altoona mounted its comeback after trailing 4-0 after four innings. McBroom hit an RBI single in the third to get Trenton on the board.
The Thunder later extended their lead with three runs in the fourth inning. With the bases empty and two outs, Abiatal Avelino hit a single and stole second base. The next hitter, Devyn Bolasky, hit an RBI single to give Trenton a 3-0 lead. Jorge Mateo followed Bolasky's single with an RBI double and came around to score on the same play after Curve starter J.T. Brubaker , who was backing up home plate, committed a throwing error trying to throw him out at third base.
In the bottom of the fourth, Altoona cut the lead in half after Jordan George , making his Double-A debut, crushed a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 4-2. Later in the frame, Jackson Williams hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Curve to within a run.
Altoona briefly pulled ahead 5-4 after George hit a two-run double in the fifth inning. He went 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Brubaker pitched five innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on nine hits, striking out four. Sean Keselica allowed three runs on five hits while working the seventh inning and Tate Scioneuax (Loss, 6-4) allowed the go-ahead homer to McBroom, allowing one run on two hits in two innings.
Trenton starter Daniel Camarena lasted 4.2 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, striking out three. Andrew Schwaab allowed two runs on three hits in 0.2 innings and Colten Brewer (Win, 2-1) pitched 2.2 scoreless innings to finish off the victory.
Game Two
Altoona scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to pave the way for the win.
With the bases empty and two outs, six straight hitters reached. Jordan George doubled and Michael Suchy walked to set up an RBI single by Elvis Escobar , who advanced to second base on the throw home. Cole Tucker followed with a two-run infield single as Escobar hustled to score from second base, extending Altoona's lead to 3-0. After Tucker stole second, Pablo Reyes drove him in with an BRI single. The Curve kept the pressure on after Reyes stole second base and Anderson Feliz knocked him home with an RBI single, pushing Altoona's lead to 5-0.
The Curve sent nine hitters to the plate in the five-run frame.
Trenton's only run of the game came courtesy of solo home run by Jorge Saez, his ninth. Saez did not start the game but was summoned into action after Francisco Diaz was ejected for arguing a call at the plate.
Curve starter Cody Dickson (Win, 2-3) was sharp, allowing just one run on three hits in five innings, striking out four. Luis Heredia nailed down the win with two scoreless innings in relief.
The Thunder were forced to turn to Raynel Espinal after starting pitcher Zack Littell was scratched prior to the game. Espinal went three scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen. Anyelo Gómez (Loss, 2-1) allowed five runs on six hits in the fourth inning, logging 1.2 innings on the night. Cody Carroll pitched 1.1 scoreless frames for Trenton.
The second game was played to make up a game that was postponed due to rain on June 22.
The Curve will continue their homestand with game four against the Thunder on Sunday. Right-hander Austin Coley (4-2, 2.90) will get the start for Altoona. Trenton has not yet announced a starter for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Sunday will feature a 90s pop hits-themed post-game fireworks show, presented by Nuts for You. The Curve will be wearing Pirates-style Black & Gold jerseys, presented by Keller Engineers. Fans can also play pre-game catch on the field, presented by PA Cyber. Toss the ball around with your parents, kids, siblings or friends from one hour before the game when gates open until 30 minutes prior to first pitch. Kids will also be able to run the bases following the game.
For tickets or more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office.
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