HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Altoona Curve rallied to take a lead in the eighth inning, but fell on a walk-off, two-run single to the Harrisburg Senators, 4-3, on Wednesday night at FNB Field.
The Curve (70-59) dropped the rubber game of the series with the Senators (66-63) and finished the ten-game road trip with a 4-6 record.
Altoona’s lead in the Eastern League Western Division was trimmed to 1.5 games over second-place Akron, who has now won ten consecutive games. Harrisburg now sits four games behind Altoona in third place in the standings, 2.5 games behind Akron for the division’s wild card spot.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the eighth, Edwin Espinal came through with a pinch-hit, two-run double to put the Curve ahead 3-2 against reliever Mitch Lively (Blown Save, 1).
Harrisburg rallied in the ninth against Altoona closer Montana DuRapau (Loss, 3-2). With two outs and runners on the corners, Keyes drove a game-winning two-run single to center field to send the Senators to their eighth walk-off win of the year.
The Senators opened the scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI double by Stephen Perez to take a 1-0 lead.
Altoona tied the score with a sacrifice fly by Stetson Allie in the top of the sixth inning to score Chris Stewart from third against Harrisburg reliever Derek Self (Blown Save, 2).
Harrisburg answered with a run in the sixth after a fielding error in right field by Allie on a single by Adrian Sanchez, allowing Spencer Kieboom to score.
Curve starter Cody Dickson struck out the first batter in each of his five innings, finishing the night with six strikeouts and one run allowed on four hits and two walks.
Jason Creasy allowed the one unearned run in the sixth inning with one hit, one walk and a strikeout. Jhondaniel Medina struck out the side in order in the seventh inning, and Brett McKinney pitched a 1-2-3 eighth with one strikeouts.
Harrisburg lefty Nick Lee (Win, 2-1) struck out two in a perfect top of the ninth inning. Senators starter Michael Brady allowed four hits over five scoreless innings, working around three walks with five strikeouts.
The loss marked just the second time the Curve have lost a game after leading through eight innings in 56 chances this season.
The Curve open the final regular-season homestand of the 2016 regular season on Thursday night at PNG Field against the Erie SeaWolves. Lefty Brandon Waddell (7-8, 4.19) will pitch for Altoona, opposed by Erie left-hander Artie Lewicki (1-6, 2.56).
Thursday is Throwback Thursday, presented by Rocky 104.9, and fans can take advantage of $1 Juniata brand hot dogs by Kunzler, as well as $2 specials on 16 oz. Miller Lite and regular sodas. There will also be a fireworks show following a special viewing of the upcoming Fox show, PITCH, that will play on the video board following the game.
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