From the Altoona Curve:
Mitchell’s 9th Inning Single Leads Third Straight Win
Altoona pitching retired 17-of-19 batters faced during the game
AKRON, OH – For the third time in the series, Altoona and Akron played a tight ballgame and for the third straight night; Altoona came away with the victory. Cal Mitchell broke an 0-for-13 stretch at the plate with a two-run single in the top of the ninth to lead the Curve to a 3-1 win at Canal Park over the RubberDucks on Thursday night.
The Curve loaded the bases with two hits and a walk in the deciding frame before Mitchell fought off an 0-2 pitch from Akron right-hander Nic Enright into left field to score two and break a 1-1 tie.
Cristofer Melendez entered in the bottom of the ninth and worked around a base hit and a walk to earn his sixth save with Altoona.
The Curve managed 12 hits in the victory but could not cash in on several early opportunities: stranding seven baserunners across the first four innings. Mason Martin finally broke through for Altoona with an RBI double, scoring Jack Suwinski from first base, and recorded his league-leading 60th run batted in on the season. Martin finished the day with three hits, Suwinski added two hits and a walk.
Travis MacGregor matched a season-long 6.0 innings despite surrendering a first inning run and stranding the bases loaded in the second inning. MacGregor settled in after the second to retire 10-of-the-final-12 batters he faced. All told, the 23-year-old right-hander allowed one run on four hits, walked a pair and struck out six. He threw a season-high 97 pitches, 63 strikes and earned a no-decision.
Steven Jennings struck out a pair and retired all six batters he faced across the seventh and eighth innings, he earned his second win with the Curve.
The Curve continue their series with the RubberDucks with a doubleheader on Friday night beginning at 5:00 p.m. RHP Jeff Passantino (1-5, 4.14) will start for Altoona in game one with game two’s starter to be announced. The ‘Ducks will start LHP Logan Allen (0-0, 3.52) in game one with LHP Juan Hillman (8-2, 3.94) slated for game two.
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