Curve Let One Get Away in Walk-Off Loss
Win: Michael Morrison (2-1)
Loss: Jeff Inman (1-1)
Save: --
TOG: 3:06
Attendance: 3,378
ERIE, Pa. - Altoona's losing streak reached five games on Saturday night when the Erie SeaWolves walked off on a two-run infield single to defeat the Curve, 4-3, at Jerry Uht Park. Adalberto Santos extended his on-base streak to 14 games with a 3-for-5 day while Andrew Lambo clubbed his fourth homer of the season in the loss.
The Curve carried a, 3-2, lead into the ninth inning and gave the ball to Jeff Inman (1-1) to try and close it down. Wade Gaynor led off the inning with a single before Inman struck out James Robbins for the inning's first out. Jamie Johnson batted next and singled into left field but Gaynor was only able to get to second because of Lambo's hustle to get the ball back to the infield. Inman then struck out Marcus Lemon for the inning's second out and things appeared to be headed in the Curve's direction.
Corey Jones was called upon to pinch hit for Erie and wound up working a walk to load the bases to move the tying run to third and winning run to second. Eugenio Suarez was down to his final strike before grounding a ball to Santos at third.
With the runners off on the play, Santos tried to retire Jones heading for second to end the game but Jones beat the throw and got tangled up with second baseman Jarek Cunningham. While the play at second was going on, Gaynor had scored from third to tie the game at three. With Cunningham and Jones tied up at second, Johnson, who started the at bat on second base, broke for the plate from third and beat out a throw to score the game-winning run.
Altoona's one-run lead was courtesy of Charlie Cutler, who delivered a two-out double in the eighth inning to bring home Cunningham from first base. The Curve also led, 2-1, after the third inning thanks to the Lambo two-run homer.
Starter Stolmy Pimentel took a no decision on Saturday and allowed two runs in six innings. Both runs that Pimentel allowed came on solo home runs and accounted for two of the five hits he allowed. The righty struck out four and walked two while seeing his ERA rise to 0.74.
SeaWolves starter Warwick Saupold also took a no decision on Saturday, giving up two runs on three hits while tying his season high in strikeouts with eight.
Altoona (11-18) will now try to salvage a win in the 1:35 p.m. series finale with Erie (16-11) on Sunday afternoon. RHP David Bromberg (0-3, 6.19) will toe the slab for the Curve after tossing a quality start his last time on the hill. He'll be opposed by Matt Crouse (2-1, 3.93) on Sunday afternoon.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is set for 1:05 p.m. For tickets and more information on upcoming promotions and games at Peoples Natural Gas Field, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at the ballpark.
-CURVE-