Kingham & Co. toss second shutout of the season
Win: Nick Kingham (1-0)
Loss: Zach Nuding (2-8)
Save: --
TOG: 2:39
Attendance: 6,928
The Altoona Curve blanked the Trenton Thunder, 4-0, in front of a season-high 6,928 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday night. The game marks the fourth straight victory for Altoona - tying the longest winning streak of the season. Curve starter Nick Kingham (1-0) turned in a sparkling debut in his first Double-A start, striking out seven and shutting out Trenton through 5.2 innings.
Altoona's steady offensive performance began in the fourth. Adalberto Santos lead off the inning with a high-bouncing single up the middle. Santos then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gregory Polanco walked and stole a base of his own, putting two runners in scoring position. After an Alex Dickerson strikeout, Jarek Cunningham grounded out to short, bringing home Santos.
The Curve manufactured another run in the fifth inning. Justin Howard walked to open the inning and Gift Ngoepe moved him to third with a long double that landed on the warning track. Mel Rojas, Jr. then grounded out, earning the RBI as Howard scored easily from third for the 2-0 lead.
Ngoepe finished 2-for-3 on the night.
The Curve offense kept at it in the sixth inning. Dickerson hit a sharp grounder down the right-field line for a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Cunningham drew a walk on the next at bat, setting the table for Charlie Cutler, who singled into right. Dickerson scored easily and Cunningham advanced to third. Carlos Paulino followed with a high popup that landed amongst a crowd of confused Thunder fielders for a single. Cunningham scored on the play for the 4-0 lead.
Dickerson finished 2-for-4 with a run, and Cutler went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks (one of which was intentional). Cunningham also finished with an RBI and a run.
Kingham quickly showed he belonged in Double-A in his first start. He showed poise and power throughout his performance. But he wasn't the only notable pitcher -- Altoona's relievers kept Trenton locked down in the later innings. Kenn Kasparek helped Kingham wiggle out of his jam after departing in the sixth, Nate Baker struck out three batters in the seventh and Ethan Hollingsworth didn't allow a baserunner in the last two innings to secure the collective shutout.
The Curve look to sweep Trenton in the third game of the series on Father's Day at 6 p.m. from Peoples Natural Gas Field. The game will feature Sunday Night Fireworks presented by Panera Bread. Kids can also run the bases after the final out on what is Indiana County Night. For ticket information on Indiana County Night, patrons can contact Nate Bowen at 814.283.3118.
Jameson Taillon (3-5, 3.11) will get the start for the Curve after being scratched from his start last Sunday due to a stiff neck. He'll be dueling Trenton righty Mikey O'Brien (4-1, 4.03) in the series finale. Gates open at 5 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more information on the current Curve homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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