RICHMOND, Va. - A day after being no-hit in Akron, the Curve had plenty of hits in Richmond. They just didn't make the most of them.
The Curve recorded 11 hits, but were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and fell to Richmond, 5-3, Monday night at The Diamond. It was the Curve's fourth straight loss.
Altoona got off to a quick start with two first-inning runs. Robbie Grossman, Brock Holt and Adalberto Santos made sure the Curve wouldn't get no-hit for a second straight game as they led off the contest with three straight singles.
Santos' hit allowed Grossman to score and Holt crossed the plate on an RBI groundout from Matt Curry. But after the first inning, the Curve struggled to get runs home and stranded a total of 10 base runners in the game.
Capitalizing with runners on second or third is something the Curve have not done well during their four-game losing streak. In their last four games, the Curve are 3-for-32 (.094) with runners in scoring position.
Richmond actually stranded five more runners than the Curve and wasn't much better with runners in scoring position (4-for-20). However, Richmond had a total of 13 hits and was able to score one run in each the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Tommy Joseph, Richmond's catcher who was also celebrating his 21st birthday Monday, had the best night of any hitter. Joseph was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and also scored once.
Three of the Flying Squirrels five runs came off of Altoona starter Brandon Cumpton. In five innings, Cumpton (8-8) allowed seven hits in addition to four walks and struck out three.
Chris Heston got the nod for Richmond, and though the righty was forced to leave the game in the sixth because of a blister, he did enough to earn a win. Heston (7-4) threw 5 1/3 innings and though he allowed eight hits and walked a pair, he gave up only two runs.
Daryl Maday induced Grossman to ground out with runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth, and then pitched a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save.
Game recap
Key player: Richmond C Tommy Joseph was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Key play: With the Curve trailing 5-3 and runners on second and third with two outs, CF Robbie Grossman grounded out to end the eighth inning.
Key stat: During their four-game losing streak the Curve are 3-for-32 (.094) with runners in scoring position.
How they scored
Top 1st: Grossman singled, scored on Santos single (1-0); Holt singled, scored on Curry groundout (2-0).
Bottom 3rd: Mayora singled, scored on Joseph double (2-1).
Bottom 4th: Mitchell walked, scored on Adrianza singled (2-2).
Bottom 5th: Joseph singled, scored on Ciriaco walk (2-3).
Bottom 6th: Adrianza doubled, scored on Joseph single (2-4).
Top 7th: Grossman singled, scored on Curry sacrifice fly (3-4).
Bottom 7th: Ciriaco reached on fielder's choice, scored on Cavan single (3-5).
