Griff Riffs the Curve in Strikeout Showcase
July 21, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Lolo Sanchez knocked an RBI-single in the ninth inning off Reading reliever Orion Kerkering, but Altoona's offense was shut down by Fightin Phils starter Griff McGarry as Reading evened the series in a 4-1 defeat of the Curve on Friday night at PNG Field.
McGarry became the first pitcher to strike out 10 Curve batters this season in a career-long 7.0 inning performance. He allowed just three base runners, all on singles, and did not allow a run. The Curve offense had its best chance in the eighth, when Andrew Baker gave Altoona all the ingredients of a comeback with three straight walks to open the frame. Brett Schulze then entered for the Fightin Phils and slammed the oven door shut with three straight strikeouts to end the inning.
Anthony Solometo allowed three runs on six hits in 4.2 innings to take the loss in the outing. He matched his Double-A high with seven strikeouts and walked just one batter. Solometo allowed two singles in the third before a passed ball by Abrahan Gutierrez allowed the first run to score. An RBI-single by Casey Martin in the fourth and a solo home run by Carlos De La Cruz in the fifth gave Reading the 3-0 lead.
The Curve turned to Noe Toribio in the fifth, who tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Geronimo Franzua threw 1.2 innings without allowing a hit, but walked the bases loaded in the eighth before Grant Ford hit Pedro Martinez with a pitch to put a run on Franzua's line. Curve pitching combined to strikeout 12 batters in the loss.
The highlight of the evening for Altoona was the retirement of Roberto Clemente's No. 21 uniform in a special pregame ceremony. The Clemente family watched from right field as a new plaque was unveiled on the right field flagpole, 21 feet up from the ground, to commemorate the legacy of the Pittsburgh Pirates legend.
Altoona continues their six-game set with Reading on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. The Curve send RHP Sean Sullivan to the mound with Reading yet to announce a starter. Saturday night is Christmas in July night at PNG Field, where the first 1,000 fans will receive a LOCO Nutcracker, presented by Sheetz for the Kidz. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 5:45 p.m. on Talk Radio 98.5 WRTA and online at www.bit.ly/CurveRadioNet.
The Curve are proud to celebrate our 25th Anniversary season in 2023. 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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