From the Altoona Curve:
Double Trouble In Erie, Curve Swept in Doubleheader
Altoona is now 3-9 in games played in a doubleheader this season
ERIE, PA – Erie’s offense proved to be too much for Altoona on Thursday night, sweeping a doubleheader at UPMC Park, 15-1 and 6-0.
The Curve managed just eight total hits between the two games in the doubleheader, one shy of the total accumulated by Erie 3B Spencer Torkleson, who went 7-for-7 with a double and three home runs for the SeaWolves.
In the opener of the doubleheader, Erie scored ten runs in the third inning and cruised to a victory. Curve starter Travis MacGregor was charged the loss, lasting 2.1 innings on the mound and allowing a career-high eight runs, seven earned, on five hits and two walks. MacGregor struck out three and threw 64 pitches, 41 strikes.
The 15-1 defeat was the largest margin of defeat for Altoona this season and the third inning marked the second time in four games that an opponent scored ten runs in an inning after Akron scored ten eighth inning runs last Saturday night.
The Curve managed their lone run in the first game of the doubleheader in the second inning when the Curve used three straight hits to start the second inning. Mason Martin singled to start the frame and Carter Bins followed with a single of his own to put men at first and second. Cal Mitchell then rocketed a double to right-center to score Martin and advance Bins to third, however, Erie starter Joey Wentz managed to dance out of further trouble in the inning. The Curve managed just two hits and one walk the rest of the way.
In game two of the doubleheader, Erie got a brilliant pitching performance from right-hander Elvin Rodriguez and the Curve managed just three hits on their way to a shutout defeat, 6-0.
Diego Castillo had two singles and Matthew Fraizer had a double in the seventh inning to account for all three hits in the nightcap for Altoona.
Erie built an early lead with the long ball, using three straight solo home runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead. Riley Greene, Ryan Kreidler and Torkelson each homered to centerfield off Curve starter Jeff Passantino to take the early lead. The three first inning home runs for Erie matched a franchise record for homers allowed in an inning by Altoona pitching, it was the fifth time in franchise history that the Curve have allowed three homers in an inning; first since May 24, 2016 against Akron.
Torkelson added his third home run of the doubleheader in the fifth inning and Drew Ward hit a two-run shot in the sixth inning off Passantino to set a career-high with five home runs allowed. Passantino was charged with the loss, allowing six runs on ten hits, one walk and struck out five.
Altoona was swept in a doubleheader for the third time this season, each of them taking place on the road this season. The Curve are now 3-9 in their six doubleheaders played this season.
The Curve continue their six-game series with the SeaWolves, on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. LHP Trey McGough(3-2, 3.79) will start for Altoona, with RHP Beau Brieske (1-0, 1.38) slated for Erie.
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