Cunningham, Paulino Pace Offensive Eruption in Win over Squirrels
Published on May 24, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve opened a four game homestand with an offensive explosion, beating the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 14-4, to end a five-game losing streak. Altoona's totals of 18 hits and 14 runs both tied season highs for the team. The 10-run win is also the largest margin of victory for the Curve this season.
Catcher Carlos Paulino grabbed four RBIs, second baseman Jarek Cunningham had four hits, and center fielder Mel Rojas, Jr. scored four runs to lead the Altoona charge. Paulino and Rojas, Jr.'s totals set new career highs, while Cunningham's four hits matched a personal best mark. Cunningham's 4-for-6 performance also represents the third four-hit game for a Curve player this season.
The deluge wasn't limited to Paulino, Cunningham, and Rojas--in fact, every Curve starter notched at least one hit with four players corralling multi-hit games on Friday night. On top of all the hits, eight different players in the Curve lineup scored at least one run in the 10-run win.
Touted pitcher Jameson Taillon (3-5) got the start and the win for Altoona. After allowing a game-opening homer to Richmond right fielder Jarrett Parker, Taillon found a rhythm in spite of chilly weather. He struck out six batters in five innings, scattered five hits, and allowed one earned run. Ethan Hollingsworth replaced Taillon on the mound in the sixth inning.
Altoona was actually drawn even with Richmond at one entering the fourth inning. Taillon led off the inning with his first hit of the season to put one on for Gift Ngoepe. After Ngoepe flew out, Rojas, Jr. and Charlie Cutler, who ended the day 3-for-4, strung together back-to-back singles to load up the bases. Left fielder Andrew Lambo broke the game open in the fourth, driving in three runs with a bases-loaded triple to take a 4-1 lead. The Curve had loaded the bases in each of the previous two innings but weren't able to find the big knock until Lambo's bases-clearing triple.
The Curve continued to pour it on in the sixth inning. Paulino and right fielder Justin Howard drove in two runs each, contributing to a six-run frame and a 10-1 lead. Altoona batted around in the inning and scored the six runs on six hits. Hollingsworth even joined in on the offensive party, grabbing an RBI single to cap the scoring in the frame.
The offense wasn't finished as they added three more runs in the seventh and another in the eighth.
With a five-game losing streak a thing of the past, the Curve (20-27) will look to make it two straight with a win in the second game of the series with Richmond (23-23) beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday Night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Postgame fireworks will follow the Saturday night contest with the Squirrels on Huntingdon County Night at the ballpark. It's also a Take 25 Day in Curve, Pa. as we take time to talk about child safety. After the game, kids can run around the bases.
On the hill for the Curve Saturday night will be RHP Stolmy Pimentel (2-2, 3.35), who is coming off a rough start his last time out versus Reading on Monday night. He'll look to get back on track vs. the Squirrels' LHP Jack Snodgrass (3-0, 2.27) in game two.
Gates for the Saturday night tilt in Curve, Pa. 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 Memorial Day Weekend homestand, call 877.99.CURVE, visit AltoonaCurve.com or stop by the ticket windows at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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