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The Curve's opening weekend showed promise from an offensive standpoint, some issues with regards to pitching and, ultimately, two losses in three games.
Altoona picked up its first win in the second game of the season Saturday night, 9-1, but lost the series finale to Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon, 5-3, before 2,725 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
The offense scored 18 runs in the three games, and the pitching staff allowed 15. But despite coming out on the right end of the run department in the series, the Curve came out on the wrong end of the scoreboard in two of the three games.
First win
The Curve had a big night at the plate in Saturday's 9-1 win, the first victory of the season after an opening-night loss.
Pirates top prospect Nick Gonzales belted his first Double-A home run, and Jack Suwinski also hit one out.
Liover Peguero drove in four runs and went 2-for-4 with a double, and Blake Sabol had three hits in the win.
Mike Burrows turned in an impressive start in his Double-A debut, tossing four shutout innings and giving up just two hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He didn't qualify for the win only going four innings, so the victory went to reliever Austin Roberts (1-0), who threw two scoreless innings.
Richard Guasch (0-1) took the loss for Harrisburg.
Sunday deficit
The big offensive showing Saturday didn't carry over to Sunday, with just three runs.
Harrisburg took an early lead on a two-run homer in the third by Jecksson Flores, before Altoona rallied to tie with two runs in the fourth. Connor Scott had an RBI triple that pulled the Curve even.
The Senators pulled ahead for good in the sixth on a two-run double by K.J. Harrison off reliever Omar Cruz (0-1).
Andres Alvarez homered in the seventh for the Curve's final run.
Alberto Guerrero (1-0) won in relief for Harrisburg.
Stats and stuff
The first three home games drew 4,339 fans Friday, 3,092 Saturday and 2,725 Sunday, solid numbers despite temperatures primarily in the 40s.
There were six home runs hit in Friday's opener. According to research by an online stats analyst, it was just the sixth time since 2005 that a game in Altoona featured six home runs.
It's always been known as a pitcher's park, but that wasn't the case in the opener or the entire series, as the teams combined to hit 10 homers in the three games.
Looking ahead
The Curve are off today -- and every Monday throughout the season -- then will begin a six-game series at Richmond on Tuesday night. Just like last year, the Eastern League is playing week-long six-game series this season.
The Curve will return home April 19 for a six-game series against New Hampshire.