Come-From-Behind Curve Defeat Akron in Extras to Open 2024 Season
April 5, 2024 - Eastern League (EL)
Altoona Curve News Release
AKRON, OH - With the game tied in the top of the tenth inning, Matt Fraizer reached on an infield single to score placed runner Seth Beer and fuel a 4-3 victory for the Curve over the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park to open the 2024 season.
The win secures Altoona its 1,700th win in franchise history on Opening Day in 2024, with an overall record of 1,700-1,651. It is the first time Altoona has won its Opening Day contest since 2019, when the Curve defeated Akron 5-0 at Canal Park.
Trailing by a run in the top of the ninth inning, Jackson Glenn opened the frame with a double down the right field line off RubberDucks reliever Jack Leftwitch. He advanced to third on a balk and scored on a wild pitch three pitches later to tie the game 3-3.
The Curve were held hitless until the top of the sixth inning, when Fraizer knocked a double into the right field corner off Akron reliever Jordan Jones, putting runners on second and third after Kervin Pichardo opened the frame with a walk. Tres Gonzalez followed with an RBI groundout before Glenn made it a 3-2 game with an RBI single to score Fraizer.
Righty Bubba Chandler took the ball as the Opening Day starter and struck out four batters in 3.1 innings pitched. Akron picked up the first two runs of the game on a double from Petey Halpin in the second inning. Chandler set down four-of-five hitters to finish off his outing after the double from Halpin and tossed 60 pitches, 36 strikes in his season debut.
Justin Meis held the line for the Curve bullpen with three scoreless innings of relief covering the fifth through seventh. Meis struck out three and allowed just one hit and one walk in his outing. Cameron Junker tossed a scoreless eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts to keep the game at 3-2 before Altoona rallied in the ninth. Grant Ford allowed one run in 0.2 innings of work following Chandler in his season debut.
Isaac Mattson, making his organizational debut, tossed a scoreless top of the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk in the tenth to lock down the victory on the mound. Mattson earned the win with a pair of strikeouts in relief.
Akron's starter Doug Nikhazy did not allow a hit over the first five innings of the contest, striking out five and walking two.
The Curve continue their series to open the 2024 season with the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Altoona sends RHP Sean Sullivan to the mound with Akron slated to start RHP Tommy Mace.
For tickets and more information on the 2024 Altoona Curve Season, presented by Stuckey Automotive, 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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