EL1 Altoona Curve

Early Four-Run Lead Disappears as Curve Lose to RubberDucks

Published on August 1, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


CURVE, Pa. - The Altoona Curve had an early four-run lead evaporate as the Akron RubberDucks stormed back to take Saturday night's game, 5-4, at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

With the loss, the second-place Curve (57-51) remain only one game ahead of the RubberDucks (56-52) in the Eastern League's Western Division. Akron jumped ahead of Richmond to move into third in the division and has won six straight games against Altoona going back to last weekend's series at Canal Park.

Altoona scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Barrett Barnes started the scoring with a two-run blast to left field for his first Double-A home run. Two batters later, Mel Rojas Jr. doubled in Erich Weiss to put Altoona in front, 3-0.

In the second, Jose Osuna singled in Adam Frazier to put the Curve ahead, 4-0.

After an RBI single by Bradley Zimmer in the third, Ronny Rodriguez hit a solo shot in the fourth as the RubberDucks cut the Curve lead to 4-2. Akron tied the game with two solo homers by Bryson Myles and Yandy Diaz in the fifth.

The RubberDucks took the lead with another solo blast Rodriguez of off Curve reliever Brett McKinney (Loss, 0-1) in the sixth inning. Rodriguez has hit three homers in the series and now has nine on the season.

Frazier singled in the bottom of the ninth inning of off Akron closer Jeff Johnson (Save, 19) to put the potential tying run on base, but was later picked off to end the game.

Akron starter Mike Clevinger (Win, 7-6) allowed four runs over 5.2 innings.

After posting a 3-1 record and a 0.61 ERA in July, Chad Kuhl gave up four earned runs on seven hits over five innings in his first August start.

The Curve and the RubberDucks finish the series Sunday night at PNG Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Left-hander Steven Brault (4-3, 3.24) will start for the Curve. Righty Jordan Cooper (0-2, 3.79) will pitch for the RubberDucks.

The game will be followed by a Fireworks show. It is also Bark in the Park Night.

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.

Check out the Altoona Curve Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from August 1, 2015


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