One-Run Games Perplex Curve Yet Again
BOWIE, Md. - One-run games continued to baffle the Curve in Bowie as they fell to the Baysox, 4-3, on Tuesday night at Prince George's Stadium. Keon Broxton and Gift Ngoepe both had solo homers for the Curve in what was the team's 24th loss in a one-run game this season.
The Baysox once again were spotted a three-run lead just like on Monday night. This time they scored all three runs in the second inning off starter Joely Rodriguez (4-7) and did it in succession with the first four men all reaching via hits and scoring three runs.
Just like on Monday, however, the Curve had an answer and eventually erased the three-run margin. Ngoepe slugged his solo homer in the third to pull the Curve within two before Drew Maggi hit a ball to short with two on and two outs in the fifth. Shortstop Garabez Rosa bobbled the ball, allowing Maggi to beat it out and Jarek Cunningham to score to pull the Curve within one.
While the Curve were trimming the lead offensively, Rodriguez was settling in on the mound to the tune of 10 in a row retired from the second through the first out in the fifth.
Broxton tattooed a pitch from Ashur Tolliver (1-1) in the sixth to tie the game at three and the Curve had the momentum. However, it was quickly taken back by the Baysox in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer by Christian Walker to start it. For Walker, it was his 19th home run of the season which leads the Eastern League.
Altoona was never able to recover in their fifth straight loss. They put the tying run at third in the eighth after Cunningham doubled and moved to third on a fielding error by the centerfielder Dariel Alvarez. Julio DePaula struck out pinch hitter Justin Howard to end the threat.
Rodriguez allowed four runs in 5+ innings of work and struck out four. The bullpen was solid with Ryan Beckman and John Holdzkom combining for three scoreless, hitless innings with five strikeouts.
Cunningham led the offense with three hits while Kelson Brown and Elias Diaz each chipped in two apiece. Maggi singled in his first at bat to run his hitting streak to eight games.
Altoona (29-54) will aim to end a five-game losing streak in the 6:35 p.m. game with Bowie (46-38) on Wednesday night in Bowie. RHP Adrian Sampson (5-5, 2.90) takes the bump for the Curve looking to play the stopper. He'll be opposed by Bowie RHP Zach Davies (4-4, 3.69).
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
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