(READING, PA)- The Altoona Curve scored four runs in both the sixth and eighth innings to rally from 3-0 and 4-1 deficits in defeating the Reading Phillies 10-6 Wednesday night at First Energy Stadium in Reading.
With the win, Altoona (48-31) held its four-game lead over second-place Erie in the Eastern League\’s Southern Division standings. The win was also the Curve\’s 20th of the month of June to establish a new franchise record for most wins in a single month.
The Curve took its first lead (5-4) in the sixth on Chris Duffy\’s RBI triple over the head of centerfielder Ryan Fleming that allowed pitcher Elio Serrano to score from first base. Earlier in the inning, Altoona tied the contest on a wild play that saw one run score on Yurendell DeCaster\’s sacrifice fly and another, Ray Sadler, on an overthrow by pitcher Gavin Floyd in an attempt to catch Sadler off first base.
The Curve iced the game with four runs in the eighth inning, capped by a three-run triple by Ronny Paulino.
Serrano (3-4) earned the win in his return to the Curve roster after a two-day stint at Triple-A Nashville, where he did not appear in a game for the Sounds.
The right-hander did give up a run in the fifth inning on slugging first baseman Ryan Howard\’s league-leading 29th longball of the season, but was picked up by Altoona offense to notch the victory.
Floyd (3-5) gave up five runs–all earned–on nine hits over seven innings to drop two games below the .500 mark despite entering the game with the league\’s second-best ERA at 2.54.
Duffy went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI to lead the Curve offense, while Paulino was one of four players with two hits. Jeff Keppinger, who was 3-for his last-18 entering the game, went 2-for-5, including his first home run of the season–a solo shot in the fifth that gave Altoona its first run.
Ray Sadler (2-for-3) and Yurendell DeCaster (2-for-4) also had two hits for the Curve, which won for the 21st time in its last 27 games.
Scheduled Curve starter Landon Jacobsen was unable to make his start because of shoulder soreness, so right-hander Neal McDade filled in and tossed four innings allowing three runs–two earned–on six hits in taking a no-decision.
Altoona will return to Blair County Ballpark to open a seven-game homestand Thursday night with the first of four games against the Harrisburg Senators at Blair County Ballpark. In the series opener, the Curve will send ace right-hander Ian Snell (5-4, 3.03) to the mound to face Harrisburg righty Justin Echols (3-5, 6.67). Gametime is set for 7:05 p.m. and the night will be capped by the first of four straight post-game fireworks shows.
