EL1 Altoona Curve

Altoona Wins Slugfest in Harrisburg

Published on July 12, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


Harrisburg, Pa. - After a few big innings, a barrage of home runs, and a couple blown saves, the Altoona Curve came together to defeat the Harrisburg Senators 13-12 on Friday night at Metro Bank Park. Jarek Cunningham provided the heroics for Altoona with a solo home run in the 11th inning that proved to be the difference-maker.

Altoona got off to a quick start in the game by scoring two runs in the first inning. After back-to-back singles by Alen Hanson and Drew Maggi, third baseman Dan Gamache ripped a double down the right field line that scored made it 2-0

However, Harrisburg responded for three runs in the bottom of the first thanks in to a bases loaded double by Ricky Hague and the Senators took a 3-2 lead.

The Curve got the tying run back in the second and took the lead in the third. In the second, Gift Ngoepe drew a one out walk and scored on an Alen Hanson single. The four-run third inning saw the Curve bat around and the bottom third of the order drive in all the runs which included an Andy Vasquez two-run single, an RBI single by Ngoepe, and the first career hit for Orlando Castro. However, Harrisburg responded with a big inning of their own with tallied four runs in the third to tie the game at seven.

Altoona began their display of home runs beginning in the fourth. Maggi roped a solo home run to lead off the fourth that hit the left field foul pole and broke the 7-7 tie. Vasquez followed with a leadoff solo shot in the fifth, though Harrisburg tallied one back in the bottom of the frame to make the score 9-8. Stetson Allie gave the Curve added cushion in the sixth with a solo home run to left inning that made the score 10-8.

Harrisburg never stopped rallying, though. In the eighth, they scored a run off Kenn Kasparek after a throwing error by Hanson with runners on the corners and Caleb Ramsey caught between first and third trying to steal a bag. The errant throw allowed Jose Lozada to score and brought the 'Sens to within one.

In the ninth, Keon Broxton laced a solo shot to right that gave Altoona an 11-9 lead, but the Senators still never gave up. After a one-out error by Altoona's defense put Ricky Hague on base and a walk by Brian Jeroloman followed, Lozada brought Harrisburg to within one with an RBI single and Jeroloman later scored on the second error in the inning by Dan Gamache.

Hanson provided a big hit for the game in the tenth with a solo home run that snuck over the wall in right and gave the Curve a 12-11 lead, but again, Harrisburg tallied a run when they were down to their last out. Jeroloman hit an RBI single that scored Senators All-Star Kevin Keyes.

In the 11th, Altoona provided their last lead they needed when Cunningham delivered the game-winning home run in his first game back from the disabled list. After blowing the save in the tenth, Ryan Beckman (3-4) earned the win while Robert Benincasa (0-3) suffered the loss.

The Curve and Sens will play a twinbill on Saturday as they continue their five-game series. Altoona will start RHP Adrian Sampson (6-5, 2.89) in the first game of the doubleheader while the game two starting pitcher will be LHP Joely Rodriguez (4-7, 4.53). First pitch in Harrisburg will be at 5:30 p.m. while pregame on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM, and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from July 12, 2014


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