Rough First Dooms Altoona in Harrisburg

Curve Fail to Rally After Seven-Run First Inning by Senators

By Mike Baggerman

July 13, 2014

Harrisburg, Pa. - A seven-run first inning by the Harrisburg Senators was the difference maker in the Altoona Curve's 9-5 loss on Sunday afternoon at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg. The Curve tried to get a rally going but couldn't get the come-from-behind victory on the road.

Harrisburg got off to a fast start offensively when they collected seven runs off of starter Zack Dodson. Kevin Keyes brought home the first run with an infield single but a throwing error by Stetson Allie allowed another run to cross. With two on and one out, Quincy Latimore hit a home run to right field and made it a 5-0 game. The Senators picked up their final two runs in the 11-batter inning with a two-run single by Caleb Ramsey.

With the Curve trailing 7-0, they began to chip away in the following innings. In the second, Keon Broxton belted a double to left that scored Dan Gamache and Broxton later scored on a ground ball up the middle by Gift Ngoepe which cut the score to 7-2.

In the third, Altoona plated three more. After Drew Maggi walked and stole two bases, Allie drew a walk and Gamache brought both of them home with a three-run home run to right. It was the first career Double-A home run for Gamache and it brought the Curve to within two.

After Dodson exited the game after five, the Senators tagged Joan Montero for two runs in the sixth. Kevin Keyes hit a two-run double that made it a 9-5 ballgame.

Dodson (2-6) suffered the loss after he went five innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits. James Simmons (2-0) picked up the win after he tossed five frames.

In Monday's series finale, LHP Thomas Harlan (0-0, 1.80) will go for the Curve and he will be opposed by Harrisburg RHP Scott McGregor (0-1, 14.21). First pitch is scheduled for noon while pregame on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM, and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The Curve will return to Peoples Natural Gas Field on July 17 immediately following the Eastern League All-Star Stop Presented by UPMC Health Plan. Tickets for the All-Star festivities and upcoming homestand are still available by calling 877.99.CURVE, visiting AltoonaCurve.com, or by stopping by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.