Cunningham's Single Gives Curve Walk-Off Win
Game 1
Win: Anthony Ranaudo (1-1)
Loss: Nathan Baker (3-6)
Save: Aaron Kurcz (3)
TOG: 2:20
Game 2
Win: Vic Black (1-1)
Loss: Josh Fields (1-2)
Save: --
TOG: 2:16
Attendance: 4,713
CURVE, Pa. - Jarek Cunningham's two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 2 brought home Quincy Latimore and Kelson Brown to lift the Curve to a 3-2 win over the Sea Dogs to earn a doubleheader split in front of 4,713 fans on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The walk-off win was the second in a row for the Curve, who walked off with their last victory on Thursday night vs. Richmond. Portland nipped the Curve in the first game on Saturday night, 5-3.
Down a run and without a hit since the second inning, Altoona began its rally with a walk by Latimore off the new Sea Dogs pitcher Josh Fields (1-2). Brown followed Latimore's walk with a bunt attempt to move him to second but the bunt was so good that Brown ended up safe at first. With the tying and go-ahead runs on, Robbie Grossman came to the plate and was tasked with a bunt to move them over.
Grossman wound up striking out with a foul bunt for the first out but it made no difference as Fields continued to have command issues with the very next batter Brock Holt. Holt wound up drawing a walk and that set the stage for Cunningham's walk-off heroics with his single inside the bag at third.
Portland had two different leads in the second game of the evening but both were overcome by the Curve. Down 1-0 in the second inning thanks to a Jeremy Hazelbaker home run to lead off the game, the Curve responded to tie it when Charlie Cutler blasted his second home run in as many games.
The Sea Dogs took their second lead of the second game in the fifth on a RBI single by Shannon Wilkerson that brought home Zach Gentile. Nick Natoli also tried to score on the Wilkerson single but he was gunned down at the plate by Latimore in a move that proved to be a game-saving run.
Game 2 starter Phil Irwin pitched five innings and was in line for the loss until Cunningham's walk-off hit. He finished five innings and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out three. Vic Black (1-1) tossed the top of the seventh inning and wound up with his first win of the season thanks to the walk-off hit.
In the first game, Portland jumped out to an early lead off starter Nathan Baker (3-6) as they scored two runs in the first inning on a two-out single by catcher Dan Butler. Baker, who loaded up the bases before recording the inning's first out, nearly escaped the jam as he struck out back-to-back batters before Butler delivered the knock.
Altoona had an answer waiting for Portland in the bottom of the first as Grossman tripled to right ahead of a Holt single to cut the lead to one. Sea Dogs starter Anthony Ranaudo (1-1) struggled with his command in the first inning but was able to escape with just the one run coming across to touch home. He hit Cunningham after the Holt single and fell behind 2-0 to Tony Sanchez before he retired the Curve catcher on strikes. Designated hitter Ramon Cabrera followed but bounced into an inning-ending double play.
The Curve actually took the lead off Ranaudo in the second as he still was battling command issues. It was Grossman driving in Jeremy Farrell to tie the game at two before a sac fly by Holt brought in Latimore to place Altoona in front, 3-2.
It was a short-lived lead for the Curve as Portland immediately responded in the third when Bryce Brentz made a leadoff walk by Baker costly by hitting a two-run homer to the left of center. Altoona would not score the remainder of Game 1 while Portland tacked on an insurance run in the seventh off reliever Jeff Inman.
With a doubleheader split under its belt, Altoona (25-29) will search for a series victory over Portland (23-32) in the 6 p.m. series finale on Sunday at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Sunday Night Fireworks presented by Excela Health will follow the homestand-ending game with the Sea Dogs. Before the game, fans can head down to the field from 5-5:20 p.m. and play catch on the field while after the game kids can run the bases.
Fans are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the ballpark to help benefit the USMC Toys for Tots Drive. We'll also be hosting a birthday party for our mascots Steamer, Tenacious, Diesel Dawg, Al Tuna on Sunday as well.
Looking to lead the Curve to the series victory will be Brandon Cumpton (6-4, 3.52), who notched a win over Richmond to start the homestand back on Tuesday. He'll be opposed by Sea Dogs left-hander Chris Hernandez (2-4, 3.21) in the finale.
Gates at Peoples Natural Gas Field will swing open at 5 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is slated for 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the box office windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.