(ERIE, PA) — For the third time in a week, the Altoona Curve rallied in its final at-bat for a victory on Sunday.
The Curve scored four runs in the top of the ninth at Uht Park to rally past the Erie SeaWolves, 5-3. With the dramatic win, Altoona (46-30) increased its lead in the Eastern League\’s Southern Division to four games over Erie (41-33).
Trailing 3-1, Chris Duffy led off the final frame with a single against reliever Mark Woodyard. After Brian Schmack was summoned from the bullpen, Jeff Keppinger singled sharply to center.
Nate McLouth reached on a bunt single to load the bases and Josh Bonifay looped a single to center to make it, 3-2.
Ryan Doumit lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game before Kevin Nicholson gave Altoona the lead with an RBI single to right.
Ray Sadler completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right to plate Bonifay for a 5-3 advantage.
New Curve closer Jeff Miller came on to get the final three outs for his third save over the course of the past four days.
Dave Lundquist (3-2) pitched a perfect eighth and got credit for the victory. Schmack (2-4) yielded three runs and four hits in his third of an inning in taking the defeat.
Altoona\’s four-run rally came after the club had managed just one run over the previous 19 1/3 innings against SeaWolves\’ pitching. Erie lefty Wil Ledezma shutout the Curve on two hits Saturday at PNC Park and right-hander Preston Larrison gave up just one run and four hits over seven innings on Sunday.
Doumit led the Curve offense going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Bonifay and McLouth each went 2-for-4. Jason Knoedler went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI to pace Erie.
The Curve, who have now won 19 of their last 24 games, head to Reading on Monday for the second leg of their three-city, six day road trip.
In the opener of the three-game series, Altoona will send right-hander Bryan Bullington (5-3, 4.11) to the mound against Reading righty Robinson Tejeda (5-6, 4.95). First pitch of Monday\’s game at FirstEnergy Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m.
