Altoona Curve Climb Up Downward Slope to Beat Erie SeaWolves 10-9 - AA, Eastern League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - ALTOONA - The Altoona Curve snapped a six-game losing streak in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to grab a 10-9 victory over the Erie SeaWolves Friday night at Blair County Ballpark.

In a game that featured seven different lead changes, it was Brad Corley's RBI double that scored Jonel Pacheco with the go-ahead run to put Altoona up 9-8. Altoona would grab and insurance run in the frame by way of a Luis Cruz RBI single.

The Curve (11-16) recorded season highs in runs and hits (17) in the victory. The top four hitters in the Curve batting order finished a combined 10-for-17 with seven RBI. Corley and Pacheco both finished the evening 3-for-5. Corley knocked in three runs while Pacheco plated a pair. However, it was six-hole hitter Cruz that has the best night among Curve hitters, with a 4-for-5 night.

Altoona pitchers also made their mark against Erie hitters, striking out 15 SeaWolves on Friday. The 15 strikeouts tie a franchise record, which was last accomplished on August 12, 2004. Starter Jimmy Barthmaier punched out a season-high seven Erie batters over 5 1/3 innings, while in his 2008 debut, Josh Shortslef struck out six over a three inning span. Kevin Roberts (1-0) recorded a pair of strikeouts over two innings.

With the Curve holding a 7-5 lead entering the eighth inning, Roberts allowed a three-run home run to Kody Kirkland to give Erie an 8-7 lead. But the Curve stormed back to answer in their turn at bat, as they tallied three runs to retake the lead.

Roberts allowed a run in the top of the ninth but with the tying run on base, induced a fly out to center off the bat of Max Leon to seal the victory for the Curve.

For Box Score, see:  BOX SCORE

For Play-by-Play, see:  GAME LOG

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