Curve Capitalize on Long Ball to Top Patriots on Saturday Night
July 24, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Altoona Curve News Release
SOMERSET, NJ - Facing a 1-2 count with two outs in the seventh, Mason Martin blasted his 19th home run of the campaign before Daniel Amaral made it back-to-back blasts as Altoona defeated Somerset, 7-1, at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday Night.
It was the fourth time this season Altoona hit back-to-back home runs as Altoona got back into the win column. Amaral lead the way offensively for the Curve with three extra base hits, while Cal Mitchell had four RBI for the third time this season.
Altoona got on the board first in the second inning. Amaral knocked a double into center field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Mitchell then scored him on a sacrifice fly to give the Curve a 1-0 lead.
Later in the sixth, Amaral would hit his second double of the game to center field to put runners on second and third. Mitchell then hit his 11th home run of the season off Patriots' reliever Barrett Loseke to give Altoona a 4-1 lead. Loseke allowed all three Curve home runs and gave up four runs in 2.2 innings.
Loseke got the first two outs in the seventh before Canaan Smith-Njigba drew a walk to put a man on first for Martin's two-run home run. Amaral's follow up shot was his fourth of the season and capped off the scoring in the 7-1 win.
The lone Patriots run came in the third inning. Diego Castillo doubled to left field to score Aaron Palensky and tie the game 1-1. Somerset threatened in the sixth with runners on first and second with one out, but Cam Vieaux forced a double play ball to end the frame.
Vieaux dazzled once again for Altoona, going six innings allowing only one run on three hits. He walked one batter and struck out four. John O'Reilly tossed two scoreless innings in relief before Cristofer Melendez threw a scoreless ninth inning.
Somerset starter Ken Waldichuk lasted 5.1 innings, leaving two men on base for the Mitchell home run in the sixth. He was responsible for three runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
In the win, Martin moved into sole possession of first place in the Double-A Northeast League with 19 home runs to go with a league leading 56 RBI, 40 extra-base hits, and .607 slugging percentage. It was his second home run of the week.
The Curve and Patriots conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at 5:05 p.m. RHP Travis MacGregor (4-1, 4.03) will start for Altoona, he'll be opposed by RHP Luis Medina (3-0, 3.69). Altoona will return home on Tuesday evening to being a six-game series with the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
For tickets or more information about Curve Baseball, 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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