Flying Squirrels sneak past Curve in 10 innings
RICHMOND, Va. – Omar Alfonzo and Derek Berg each had run-scoring hits, but the Altoona Curve couldn't pull out their first win of the season as they fell 9-8 in 10 innings to the Richmond Flying Squirrels. With the loss, Altoona has matched the franchise record for longest losing streak to begin a season (0-8), set in 2009.
Richmond built a 5-1 lead through five innings before the Curve took advantage of wildness from Flying Squirrels starter Trystan Vrieling. After Shawn Ross brought a run home with a bases-loaded walk, Omar Alfonzo drove in three with a double off the wall in left field to tie the game at 5-all. The Flying Squirrels regained the lead in the seventh inning on a double from Charlie Szykowny before Altoona rallied to draw even again in the eighth inning.
The Curve took capitalized on a Flying Squirrels error and worked a pair of walks to force in a run and tie the game again. In the 10th inning, Derek Berg drove in two with a single back through the middle of the infield to take an 8-6 lead, but the Curve left a pair on base as the inning finished with a pair of strikeouts. Richmond rallied for the victory with an RBI double with one out by Sabin Ceballos and then tied the game on a double from Jonah Cox.
After an intentional walk to load the bases, Dayson Croes reached base safely on a fielder's choice to bring home the winning run. Altoona worked 12 walks in the game and rank fourth among Double-A teams in free passes drawn (50) through eight games. Curve starter Po-Yu Chen was touched for five runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out one.
Cy Nielson was charged with the loss, despite allowing just one earned run in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Brandon Neeck and Emmanuel Chapman each turned in scoreless relief outings for the Curve.