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5-2 Curve open home slate

ERIE — The Curve are set for their home opener tonight, but after starting the season with five straight wins, the club comes into its home debut with a two-game losing streak.

Altoona was held to just two hits Wednesday afternoon in a 5-1 loss to Erie at UPMC Park. The SeaWolves scored twice in both the third and sixth innings and cruised to their second straight win.

The Curve will begin a four-game series tonight against Akron at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Altoona went on the road and swept a four-game series from the RubberDucks to start the season, the first time the club has ever recorded a four-game sweep at Canal Park.

Tonight’s home-opening festivities will feature an appearance by longtime Pirates broadcaster and former pitcher Steve Blass, who will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and meet fans. There also will be fireworks.

The Curve’s lone run in Wednesday’s loss scored in the eighth inning as Logan Hill walked and later came in on a sacrifice fly by Arden Pabst.

The Curve received outstanding pitching during their season-opening seven-game road trip, but it ended on a tough note. Dario Agrazal (1-1) allowed four runs on 11 hits over six innings to take the loss.

Matt Manning (2-0) dominated for Erie. He tossed seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit while striking out 10 and walking none.

Nolan Blackwood finished it off for Erie and struck out three over two innings, giving the SeaWolves’ pitchers 13 strikeouts on the day.

Game recap

Key player: CF Derek Hill went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI for Erie.

Key play: The SeaWolves scored twice in the third to grab the lead and added two more runs in the sixth.

Key stat: The Curve went 5-2 on their season-opening road trip.

How they scored

Bottom 3rd: Gibson doubled, scored on Hill single (0-1); Eaves single scored Hill (0-2).

Bottom 6th: Alcantara singled, scored on Lester single (0-3); Eaves singled, scored on Rogers single (0-4).

Bottom 7th: Numata walked, scored on German wild pitch (0-5).

Top 8th: Hill walked, scored on Pabst sacrifice fly (1-5).

Next stop

Tonight: Akron at Altoona, 6 p.m.

Pitchers: Curve LHP Cam Vieaux (0-0, 0.00) vs. RubberDucks RHP TBD

Record: 5-2

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