Four-Run Ninth Completes Comeback Win for Curve
May 4, 2019 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
RICHMOND, Va. - The Altoona Curve scored four times in the top of the ninth to complete a 10-7, come-from-behind victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Friday.
The Curve (14-13) trailed the Flying Squirrels (10-15), 7-6, entering the final frame and loaded the bases with no outs against reliever Franklin Van Gurp (Loss, 0-1). Richmond called upon Rodolfo Martinez to face Hunter Owen, who delivered the game-tying sacrifice fly. Jerrick Suiter socked a single up the middle to plate the go-ahead run and Adrian Valerio padded the lead with a two-run triple into the right field corner.
Catcher Jason Delay and the Altoona bullpen were key cogs in the comeback effort. Delay sliced Richmond's 6-2 lead after two in half during the third when he smacked a two-run double over the head of left fielder Chris Shaw. Later in the fifth, Delay cleared the left field fence for his first home run of the season and his Double-A career. His three RBIs coupled with two scoreless innings of relief from Angel German, Matt Eckelman and Blake Weiman (Win, 1-1) kept the Flying Squirrels within reach.
The Flying Squirrels scored all seven of their runs in the first three innings of the game. Richmond filled the bases with two singles and a walk by starter Yeudy Garcia before a sacrifice fly by Jacob Heyward and an RBI single by Heath Quinn equaled two runs in the first inning by Altoona. Richmond got to Garcia for four runs in the second, including a two-run single by Heyward, and forced an early exit after 1.2 innings, six hits and three walks by the Curve right-hander. Vicente Campos worked out of danger to finish the second but allowed one more score in the third as Richmond took a 7-4 lead.
Altoona got on the board first when Jared Oliva hammered a lead-off homer to start the game, his first Double-A home run. Suiter delivered the first of his two RBIs in the game when he singled in Logan Hill, who started a two-out rally with a walk and reached third on a single by Owen.
Brett Pope continued his strong run at the plate with a crucial RBI double in the sixth that put the Curve within one run. Pope also walked twice and scored a run in the ninth.
Pitchers for Altoona and Richmond each walked season-highs for their pitching staffs with eight and 10 free passes, respectively.
The series continues on Saturday with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch at The Diamond. Left-hander Cam Vieaux (0-2, 2.20) will start for the Curve against a Richmond starter to be determined.
The Curve return home on Monday, May 6 to start a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox. For tickets or more information, 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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