Curve Nipped by Ducks, 3-2

AKRON, Ohio – The Altoona Curve surrendered a lead in the sixth on three walks and a hit batter in a 3-2 loss to the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at Canal Park.

(Photo Zane Chavez. Photo courtesy of Altoona Curve)

The Curve (9-5) surrendered just five hits but allowed six walks and hit two batters. The RubberDucks (5-9) did not have a run-scoring hit in the game, plating runs on a groundout, a walk and a hit batter.

Altoona starter Tanner Anderson (Loss, 1-1) walked Francisco Mejia to start the bottom of the sixth and Bobby Bradley followed with a single. Anderson worked two flyouts to hold runners at first and second before a pitch clock violation called by home plate umpire Patrick Sharshel put Akron’s Francisco Mejia on to load the bases.

Anderson was removed and replaced by Miguel Rosario (Blown Save, 1), who walked Dorssys Paulino to tie the game and then hit Todd Hankins with a pitch to put Akron ahead, 3-2. Rosario retired Greg Allen to strand the bases loaded.

Altoona’s Chase Simpson hit a double to lead off the ninth and moved to third on a groundout by Michael Suchy. Akron reliever Matt Whitehouse (Save, 1) struck out pinch-hitter Wyatt Mathisen on three pitches and worked a groundout from pinch-hitter Jordan Luplow to end the game.

Akron opened the scoring in the first inning when Tyler Kreiger scored on an RBI groundout by Yu Chang.

The Curve evened the score in the top of the second. Connor Joe reached on an infield single to start the inning and eventually came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Zane Chavez.

Chase Simpson blasted his first home run of the season in the top of the fourth off of Akron starter Nick Pasquale (Win, 1-0) to give the Curve a 2-1 lead.

Anderson finished his game with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts.

Altoona reliever Tate Scioneaux pitched a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout.

Edwin Espinal saw his eight-game hit streak end with an 0-for-4 night. Kevin Kramer extended his season-opening on-base streak to 11 games with a first-inning single.

The Curve and RubberDucks continue the series on Saturday afternoon at Canal Park. Right-hander Austin Coley (0-0, 2.61) will start for the Curve, opposed by Akron lefty Luis Lugo (1-1, 3.09). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.


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