EL1 Altoona Curve

Allie Homers in Curve Loss to Squirrels

Published on April 17, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - A ninth-inning rally was little, too late for the Curve in a, 2-1, loss to the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Stetson Allie hit leadoff homer in the ninth and the Curve put the tying run on but weren't able to cash in to extend the game.

Squirrels starter Clayton Blackburn kept the Curve hitters off balance through the first four innings and did not allow a hit until Elias Diaz broke through and singled with one out in the fifth. Blackburn (1-1) ended up going a Double-A high 6.1 innings and did not allow a run while striking out three batters.

Richmond scored their two runs off Nick Kingham (1-1) in the third inning thanks to a pair of errors. Tyler Graham reached on an Alen Hanson error to start the inning before Skyler Stromsmoe singled through the right side to allow Graham to go first to third. Jarrett Parker followed with a fielder's choice that scored Graham from third and put the Squirrels in front. Kingham then attempted to pick Parker off at first but the throw went by Allie and Parker went first to third. Angel Villalona followed with a sac fly to bring home the second run of the inning, both of which were unearned to Kingham.

Kingham ended up just allowing the two unearned runs across five innings while striking out three and walking three.

Altoona put two on with less than two down in the fifth and in the seventh inning but couldn't get that hit to get on the board. Allie's homer, which was his second of the season, was a towering shot to left-center field to start the ninth. Mel Rojas, Jr. and Willy Garcia were both retired following Allie's homer before a strong at bat from Diaz that resulted in a walk. Keon Broxton was called upon to pinch hit for the pitcher spot but grounded out to end the game.

Joan Montero and Brandon Mann combined for four scoreless innings out of the Curve bullpen to keep the game close. Diaz was 2-for-3 in the losing effort for the Curve to lead the offense.

Altoona (4-8) and Richmond (9-5) will play the second game of the three-game set at 6:30 p.m. Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Postgame fireworks will follow Friday night's game with the Squirrels and it is also the first FREE Ritchey's' Dairy Curve Kids' Club game of the season. After the game, all kids 12 and under can run around the bases.

On the bump for the Curve in the second game will be RHP Tyler Sample (1-0, 2.57), who makes his second start of the year versus the Squirrels. He'll be opposed by LHP Adalberto Mejia (1-0, 6.00) on Friday night for Richmond.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. while airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6 p.m. For tickets and more information visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the box office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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Eastern League Stories from April 17, 2014


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