HARRISBURG, Pa. – Harrisburg picked up their third win in five games this week, earning a 8-5 win over the Curve on Saturday night at FNB Field.
Altoona’s offense got off to a hot start in the top of the first with a single from Keiner Delgado, a walk from Murf Gray and a three-run homer from Easton Carmichael. Carmichael’s fourth homer in a Curve uniform marked his 20th of the season. He is the eighth Pirates minor leaguer to hit that total this season.
Harrisburg rallied back with three runs in the home first and added another in the second to take a 4-3 lead against Curve starter Matt Ager. After the RBI single by Brandon Boissierre in the second, Ager set down ten straight hitters until Sam Brown slugged a solo homer. T.J. White also hit a solo homer in the sixth inning before Ager finished off the frame. Ager finished six innings for the first time since August 12 (four starts) and was charged for six runs on seven hits, two walks and struck out five.
The Curve quickly pulled within a run with a two-run single from Keiner Delgado after a double from Matt King and a walk from Jesus Castillo. Delgado finished the night with three hits and two runs batted in as well as a stolen base.
Harrisburg quickly got their offense on track against the Curve bullpen in the seventh inning. Boissierre doubled home two runs against Jaycob Deese to make it 8-5, however Deese and Sean Sullivan were able to limit the damage in the inning by stranding two runners after the double.
Sullivan spun a scoreless eighth inning in relief and has allowed just three baserunners in 7.1 innings with the Curve this season.
Murf Gray walked twice in the game, he’s reached base safely in 37-of-39 games played with Altoona. With the three-hit effort on Saturday night, Keiner Delgado is amid one of his best stretches of the season at the plate. He’s batting .344 over his last 16 games with a .916 OPS and seven stolen bases in nine tries.
Altoona continues their series with Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Altoona’s starter is to be announced RHP Jarlin Susana slated for the Senators.
For tickets and more information on the Altoona Curve, visit AltoonaCurve.com, call 877.99.CURVE or stop by the PNG Field box office. Additionally, the Stockyard Team Store is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during every home game and online 24/7/365.