Altoona Gutted by Grand Slam
June 15, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Altoona Curve News Release
SOMERSET, N.J. -Liover Peguero knocked his second lead-off, first-inning home run of the season tonight for Altoona, but a two-run home run in the seventh and an eighth-inning grand slam both by Eric Wagaman fueled a comeback defeat of the Curve, 6-3, at TD Bank Ballpark on Thursday night.
The Curve carried a 3-0 lead through six innings after a strong start by RHP Aaron Shortridge. The Curve starter tossed 6.0 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just three hits on three walks and six strikeouts.
The Peguero home run was his eighth of the season and gave Altoona the quick 1-0 lead. The Curve would tack on a second run in the first inning on a Matt Fraizer fielder's choice, scoring Connor Scott, who reached on an error. Patriots starter Yoendrys Gomez was lifted after the second inning, allowing two runs on two hits with three walks and a strikeout.
Altoona added its third run in the fifth inning on a Jacob Gonzalez ground out, scoring Matt Gorski, who reached on an error and stole second and third base before the Gonzalez at-bat.
Somerset began its comeback in the seventh inning. Curve reliever Bear Bellomy entered the game and walked the first batter before Wagaman hit a two-run home run to cut into the deficit for Somerset. Bellomy would record one out before Cameron Junker would replace him.
Junker would work out of the seventh with two quick outs but got into trouble in the eighth. He loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and a single. Wagaman then launched his second home run of the game, a grand slam down the right field line, to give Somerset its first lead of the game. Braeden Ogle would record the final two outs of the inning for the Curve.
Peguero and Gorski each recorded multi-hit games for Altoona in the loss. The Curve record falls to 30-28 as Altoona remains in second place in the Southwest Division with 10 games remaining in the first half.
Altoona continues a 12-game road trip on Friday evening with the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, at 7:05 p.m. Somerset will send RHP Richard Fitts to the mound with the Curve yet to announce its starter.
The Curve is proud to celebrate 25 years of memories in Curve, PA throughout the 2023 season. For tickets or more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99. CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office. Additionally, the Stockyard Team Store is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during every home game and online 24/7/365.
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