Curve Sweep Double-Header, Take Series in Akron
May 8, 2017 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
AKRON, Ohio - After back-to-back days of rainouts, the Altoona Curve returned to the field on Sunday afternoon and swept a double-header at Canal Park against the Akron RubberDucks, 6-4 and 4-1.
The Curve (17-10) have now won six of their last seven games and snapped a six-game losing streak in games played at Canal Park against the RubberDucks (11-16), including last year's playoffs.
Kevin Kramer had four hits between the two games and extended hit team-best on-base streak to 24 games.
Connor Joe had three hits in the first game but went 0-for-3 in the second game, snapping his hitting streak at 12 games, the longest for any Curve player so far this season.
Game One Joe drove in four runs in the first game of the afternoon and Yeudy Garciia (Win, 1-2) picked up the first win of his Double-A career as the Curve topped the RubberDucks, 6-4.
After Akron scored two runs in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead, Joe drove a two-run double to put Altoona back ahead, 3-2.
In the sixth inning, Zane Chavez added to the lead with a sacrifice fly and Chase Simpson later scored on a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 5-2. Joe plated an insurance run with a single in the seventh.
Akron plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh against Tate Scioneaux (Save, 1), snapping his season-opening scoreless streak at 15.1 innings. After an RBI double by Greg Allen and a run-scoring groundout by Tyler Kreiger, Scioneaux worked a ground-out from Francisco Mejia to strand a runner on base and close out the game.
Joe hit a single in the first inning to bring Kramer in to score and give the Curve a 1-0 lead.
Garcia allowed two unearned runs over five innings on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Akron starter Jordan Merryweather (Loss, 2-2) allowed three earned runs over 4.2 innings.
Joe went 3-for-4 with a double and tied a career high with four RBIs, the most in a game for a Curve player this season.
Kramer had two doubles, a walk and score three runs. Wyatt Mathisen went 2-for-2 with a double and scored a run.
Game Two A two-run homer by Jordan Luplow helped the Curve to a 4-1 win in the series finale and second game of the double-header on Sunday afternoon.
The second-inning homer for Luplow was his fifth of the season, the most on the team, and opened the scoring for the game.
In the third, Kramer crushed a triple and Edwin Espinal singled to bring him in, opening the lead to 3-0 against Akron starter Matt Whitehouse (Loss, 1-1).
Akron plated a run in the bottom of the third when Mike Papi legged out a fielder's choice, the first earned run of the season against Sean Keselica, who got a spot start in the game.
Keselica worked three innings in his first professional start, allowed one earned run on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Austin Coley (Win, 1-1) picked up his first Double-A win with two scoreless innings.
Montana DuRapau (Save, 6) struck out four and allowed one hit over two innings to pick up the 28th save of his Curve career, moving him into sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time saves list.
Kevin Newman added to the Curve lead with an RBI single in the seventh inning, one of his two hits in the game.
The Curve head to Richmond to open a three-game series against the Flying Squirrels on Monday night. Right-hander Alex McRae (3-0, 2.12) will be on the mound for the Curve, opposed by Richmond right-hander Jordan Johnson (1-2, 3.32). First pitch at The Diamond is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
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Eastern League Stories from May 8, 2017
- Rafael Devers Named Eastern League Player of the Week - Portland Sea Dogs
- RUMBLE PONIES Conlon Named League Pitcher of the Week - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Curve Sweep Double-Header, Take Series in Akron - Altoona Curve
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