RECAP COURTESY OF THE ALTOONA CURVE:
Bubba Chandler dominated in his second start of the season for Altoona, tossing four hitless innings with six strikeouts in game one of a doubleheader, but Harrisburg responded with seven runs in game two as the Curve split the twin bill, winning 5-3 in game one and falling 7-3 in game two on Saturday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Chandler walked the first two batters he faced in the first game of the day on nine total pitches before retiring 12 consecutive batters with six strikeouts to toss four scoreless innings. It was the second time in as many appearances at PNG Field that Chandler has not allowed a hit in the first four innings, dating back to his final start of the 2023 season against the Senators.
Nick Dombkowski allowed one run on one hit in 2.0 innings of relief before Isaac Mattson entered in the seventh for the Curve. Mattson was touched for two runs on two hits recording just one out before Cameron Junker earned his second save of the season getting the final two outs of the game.
Offensively, the Curve scored four runs over the first three innings to take a commanding lead. Abrahan Gutierrez knocked an RBI-single in the first inning of starter Andrew Alvarez. Matt Fraizer would add an RBI-single in the second before Jackson Glenn drew a bases-loaded walk to make it a 3-0 game. Kervin Pichardo would plate a run in the third and fifth innings with a fielder’s choice and an RBI-double to give Altoona the firepower to pick up the win.
In game two of the doubleheader, Harrisburg overcame a 1-0 deficit and secured a 7-3 win over the Curve. Altoona plated a first inning run without the benefit of a hit thanks to two walks and a throwing error. Aaron Shackelford drove in his ninth run of the season with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Sean Sullivan tossed four innings and suffered the defeat, allowing a go-ahead three-run homer to Senators first baseman Yohandy Morales in the third inning. Sullivan struck out five and walked a pair in his second start of the season, which lasted 67 pitches.
The Senators extended their lead with four runs off Tyler Samaniego in the fifth inning. Harrisburg used three hits and a walk to begin the inning and secure the 7-1 advantage.
Righty Chris Gau made his team debut with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, picking up four strikeouts.
Altoona managed two runs in their fifth inning at-bat using a pair of walks, a single and a bases loaded hit by pitch to plate a pair of unearned runs. All three of the Curve runs in the second game of the doubleheader were unearned.
Altoona and Harrisburg will play the finale of the series at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at PNG Field. LHP Anthony Solometo is slated to start for with RHP Brad Lord slated to start for the Senators.
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