Moroff's Four Hits Not Enough in 6-1 Loss to RubberDucks
April 18, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - A pair of errors led to three unearned runs in the seventh inning and it proved to be enough to sink the Curve, 6-1, in front of a season-best 5,235 at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Max Moroff finished the day with four hits (tying a career-high) and drove in his first Double-A run in the loss.
Chad Kuhl made his first home start of the year on Saturday and worked around a few walks and some base hits to spin five scoreless innings. With five more scoreless frames, Curve starters have now allowed just two earned runs in 48 innings pitched to start the season.
Moroff put the Curve ahead in the bottom of the fifth with his second hit of the night. He brought home Keon Broxton, who tripled to start the frame. Josh Bell singled behind Moroff and Moroff was on the move with the pitch. A hit-and-run was executed perfectly as the ball went through the vacated hole at short. Moroff went to third and Bell was at second with no one out.
The inning stalled, however, as the Curve would not push another run across. It was a microcosm of how the night went for the Curve, who left a total of 14 left on base.
Akron took advantage of the pair of Curve errors in the seventh and sent nine men to the plate. The Ducks tied the game on a throwing error by Ngoepe before RBI singles from Jeremy Lucas and Jake Lowery.
The Ducks added on three runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Altoona did look like it would mount a rally in the ninth, loading up the bases with one out but were unable to grab another hit to shrink the deficit.
When it was all said and done, both teams left a combined 27 men on the bases.
Altoona (5-4) and Akron (4-5) will meet in the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. It's a Ritchey's Dairy Kids' Club Game on Sunday and all members of the Kids' Club will get in free to the game. Prior to the game, a Youth Baseball Clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission to the camp, which is taught by Curve players, is free with the purchase of a ticket to the game.
We'll also have Superhero Day at the ball yard and we'll celebrate the 75th anniversary of Penn State Altoona. LHP Zack Dodson (0-0, 0.00) makes the start on Sunday afternoon while LHP Ryan Merritt (0-0, 3.86) tosses for the Ducks.
Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the box office at PNG Field.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from April 18, 2015
- RubberDucks Outlast Curve Late - Akron RubberDucks
- 16 Hits for Portland in a 10-1 Win at Trenton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Stassi walk-off single wins it for Fightins - Reading Fightin Phils
- Baysox Offense Flounders in Third Straight Loss - Bowie Baysox
- Moroff's Four Hits Not Enough in 6-1 Loss to RubberDucks - Altoona Curve
- Fightins Sink Shaky Squirrels in 10 Innings, 6-5 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- 'Wolves Make It Five Straight, Move into First Place - Erie SeaWolves
- Senators Snap Losing Skid with 7-5 Win - Harrisburg Senators
- Fisher Cats Flounder 5-1 in Fourth Straight Defeat - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Free Passes Frustrate B-Mets in 7-5 Loss - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Rock Cats Hit and Run En Route to Third Straight Win; Defeat NH 5-1 - New Britain Rock Cats
- Erie SeaWolves at Bowie Baysox - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Sea Dogs Game Notes April 18 at Trenton (Game 9) - Portland Sea Dogs
- B-Mets Game Notes: Game #10 - B-Mets (6-3) vs. Harrisburg Senators (3-6) - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes: at Reading - Richmond Flying Squirrels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
