Power hitter Gorski carted off field in Curve’s win
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Tonight: Harrisburg at Altoona, 6 p.m.
Pitchers: Curve RHP Kyle Nicolas vs. Senators RHP Steven Fuentes
Record: 2-0
Radio: WRTA-AM 1240 & 98.5-FM
By Cory Giger
sports@altoonamirror.com
The Curve played great for the second straight night to improve to 2-0 in the second half, but they also saw one of the best sluggers in minor league baseball go down with a scary injury.
Altoona beat Harrisburg, 8-3, Wednesday night before 5,043 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. But more importantly, minor league home run leader Matt Gorski suffered a leg injury in the third inning after belting a triple off the center field wall.
Gorski hobbled into third base and went down to the ground in pain. He lay there for a couple of minutes, so it was clear it wasn't just a minor issue.
He wound up having to be carted off the field, without being able to put any weight on his left leg.
"We're looking at the left quad," Curve manager Kieran Mattison said after the game. "Not sure of the severity yet. He's getting checked out in the morning (today). It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game. Looking for somebody else to step up."
Some good news
Gorski's injury looked very serious, but after the game he was seen walking out of the clubhouse using one crutch and limping a bit. So at least he was able to walk out on his own and didn't have to be hospitalized.
"For me that's a good sign, because when he first went down, you don't know if it's a knee or him being able to walk out on his own might," Mattison said. "And to see him standing and greeting his teammates after the game, to me is a big sign that it's ... it's an injury, but it may not be as long as we thought originally when he went down."
Gorski hit 17 home runs for high-A Greensboro this season, and has hit six since joining the Curve. His 23 homers were tied for most in the minors entering play Wednesday.
He's batting .294 with 23 RBIs and a .934 OPS in 30 games for the Curve. If he has to miss a significant amount of time, it could be a big blow to the club.
SUBHD: Easy win
The Curve won 8-3 for the second consecutive night, this time overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the first inning.
Altoona scored four runs in the third inning and three in the fifth to take control. Gorski's triple in the third drove in two runs to even the game at 2-2.
Blake Sabol hit his eighth homer of the season in the seventh inning.
SUBHD: Stats and stuff
Sabol went 2-for-3, and Andres Alvarez was 2-for-4. Tucupita Marcano played his second rehab game from the Pirates and went 1-for-4 leading off and playing second base.
Curve starter Carmen Mlodzinski (1-4) got his first win of the season, allowing two runs — one earned — on just three hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked one.
"Just execution in all facets of the game, starting on the mound," Mattison said of the win. "We're filling up the zone and then being able to capitalize with runners in scoring position early. Our pitchers have been able to settle in and hold the lead and stay away from the big inning. So it's been fun to watch."