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Ratledge silver lining in setback for Curve

From Mirror reports

ERIE — The Curve really had no shot to win Sunday’s game against Erie after falling behind 6-0 in the second inning, so utility man Logan Ratledge got yet another opportunity to showcase his pitching skills.

Ratledge had quite a memorable day, first hitting a home run in the sixth inning, then pitching the final three innings and putting up an impressive line for a position player in Altoona’s 7-1 loss at UPMC Park.

Ratledge not only lasted three innings on the mound, which is downright remarkable for a position player, he also struck out three batters and gave up only two hits. He did walk three and allowed one run, but he had his knuckleball dancing around, baffling Erie’s hitters.

Ratledge has now been pressed into action as a pitcher three times and has thrown 41/3 innings, allowing just the one run Sunday for a 2.08 ERA. He’s given up just two hits while striking out four and walking four.

The Curve were scrambling from a pitching standpoint Sunday after starter Pedro Vasquez had to depart with an undisclosed injury after throwing just 11/3 innings. Vasquez (2-6) gave up two runs in the first inning, then Erie scored four times in the second, with two of the runs charged to Vasquez and the other two to Logan Sendelbach.

Yeudy Garcia followed for the Curve and tossed two scoreless innings.

Here’s how crazy the day was for Ratledge: He threw more pitches in the game than any other Curve pitcher, which is incredible for a position player. Ratledge threw 56 pitches (30 strikes), while Vasquez threw 33, Sendelbach 48 and Garcia 35.

Ratledge started the game at third base in place of Ke’Bryan Hayes, who was playing in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. He provided Altoona’s lone offense when he homered in the sixth inning to break up the shutout bid by Erie starter Beau Burrows (7-6).

SUBHD: Game recap

Key player: DH Daz Cameron went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs for Erie, while INF Logan Ratledge homered and pitched three innings for the Curve.

Key play: Erie scored two runs in the first inning and four in the second for a 6-0 lead.

Key stat: Ratledge threw more pitches (56) in the game than any other Curve pitcher, lasting three innings and striking out three.

SUBHD: How they scored

Bottom 1st: Alcantara singled, scored on Cameron two-run homer (0-2).

Bottom 2nd: Thole walked, scored on Gibson sacrifice fly (0-3); Rodriguez doubled, scored on Vasquez wild pitch (0-4); Woodrow doubled, scored on Cameron single (0-5); Alcantara walked, scored on Maddox sacrifice fly (0-6).

Top 6th: Ratledge solo homer (1-6).

Bottom 7th: Eaves walked, scored on Woodrow sacrifice fly (1-7).

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