Squirrels Fly Past Altoona in Tuesday Loss
May 2, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Altoona Curve News Release
RICHMOND, Va. - Kyle Nicolas struck out 10 batters for the first time as a Pirates minor leaguer on Tuesday night in Richmond, but a Riley Mahan three-run home run pushed the Flying Squirrels passed the Curve, 6-2, in the opening game of the six-game series at the Diamond in Richmond, VA.
It was the third time in Nicolas's career that he struck out 10 or more batters and the first since July 20, 2021, when he was pitching in the Miami organization. He is the first player to strike out 10 batters for Altoona since Luis Ortiz in August of 2021 against the Bowie Baysox. Nicolas threw 96 pitches across 5.0 innings on the night.
Altoona got on the board first in the fourth inning, when Lolo Sanchez doubled into the left-field corner off Richmond starter Carson Seymour to score Matt Gorski, who reached on a single to left and advanced to second base after Mason Martin was caught in a rundown between second and third.
Richmond answered with two runs off Nicolas in the bottom of the frame. Carter Williams knocked an RBI-single into right field to score Mahan to tie the game 1-1. Two batters later, Ismael Munguia doubled to the warning track in left field to score Williams.
The Curve would claw back to tie the game in the top of the fifth off reliever Wil Jensen. Liover Peguero walked and stole second base before a single from Henry Davis moved him to third. Domingo Leyba then grounded out to second to score Peguero from third.
Nicolas struck out three batters in the bottom of the fifth, his final inning of the night. However, a double from Brett Auerbach and walk by Carter Aldrete set up the three-run shot from Mahan to put Richmond ahead for good.
Richmond added a run in the eighth inning off Tahnaj Thomas on an RBI-single from Luis Matos. Thomas walked two batters and allowed two hits in the eighth. Nick Dombkowski and Cameron Junker each delivered a scoreless inning of relief in the outing.
Sanchez finished the day with three hits, including his first two doubles of the season. Gorski and Davis each added two hits, while Peguero drew two walks and stole three bases in the loss.
Altoona and Richmond continue their six-game series on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond. RHP Justin Meis will take the ball for the Curve, facing LHP Nick Zwack for the Flying Squirrels.
Altoona returns home to PNG Field on Tuesday, May 9 to take on the Akron RubberDucks. The Curve are proud to celebrate 25 years of memories in Curve, PA throughout the 2023 season. 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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