EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve Rally to Take Series Opener from Flying Squirrels

Published on August 7, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve came from behind in the seventh to defeat the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 4-2, on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The Curve (60-53) took the series opener against the Flying Squirrels (57-54) for their fourth straight win against Richmond.

Altoona scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 3-1 lead. With runners on first and second and no outs, Barrett Barnes attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the throw from catcher Jackson Williams sailed into right field, bringing both runners in to score.

Barnes later came in to score on a combined double steal with Eric Wood, who swiped second on the play allowing Barnes to break from third. Erich Weiss added an insurance run in the eight with an RBI single to put the Curve ahead, 4-1.

Richmond closed back within two on a solo homer by Mitch Delfino in the ninth, his second RBI of the game.

Josh Smith (Win, 1-4) picked up his first win on the season while pitching two scoreless innings. John Kuchno (Save, 7) allowed one run over two innings while striking out two to get the six-out save.

Sebastian Valle went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

Curve starter Tom Harlan allowed one run over five innings and struck out four.

The Flying Squirrels committed two errors, and all four Curve runs were unearned.

The Curve remain four games behind first-place Bowie Baysox in second place and one game ahead of the Akron RubberDucks for the Western Division's final playoff spot. With the loss, the Flying Squirrels dropped to fourth place, two games behind the Curve.

The Curve and the Flying Squirrels continue the three-game series on Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. Southpaw Steven Brault (5-3, 3.21)starts for Altoona. Richmond's starter has not yet been announced.

The game will be followed by a Fireworks show. Members of the Ritchey's Dairy Kids' Club can get in free to Saturday night's game with their membership cards and kids can run the bases after the game.

The Curve have partnered with UPMC Altoona Breast Health Center for Pink in the Park Night. The team will wear special pink jerseys that feature the name of breast cancer survivors, and the jerseys will be auctioned off during the game to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Airtime on ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and the Curve Radio Network is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office.

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Eastern League Stories from August 7, 2015


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