Trending
AKRON, Ohio -- Sean Sullivan matched a career-high with seven shutout innings for Altoona as the Curve plated three runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Akron RubberDucks, 4-1, on Thursday night at Canal Park.
With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Altoona rallied for three runs to take the lead. After Jase Bowen drew a lead-off walk, Joe Perez lined an RBI double into left field off Akron reliever Jordan Jones. Two batters later, Carter Bins added an RBI double of his own before Brenden Dixon tacked on a third RBI double in the inning for Altoona.
Sullivan matched his career-long outing for the sixth time in his professional career with seven scoreless innings in his start. Sullivan scattered four hits and walked just one batter in his outing, he's walked just 10 batters in 34ª innings pitched this season.
Sullivan has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his seven starts this season and 18-of-his-28 starts in a Curve uniform.
Altoona plated the game's first run with three straight hits to begin the sixth inning off Akron right-hander Trey Benton. Kervin Pichardo began the inning with a solid single to right, and he moved to third when Francisco Acuna doubled to left. Sammy Siani followed with a base hit through the right side to take a 1-0 lead.
Altoona kept the game at 1-0 in the sixth inning thanks to some brilliant defensive work from Bowen. Akron's Petey Halpin tripled to begin the inning and Christian Cairo followed by lifting a fly ball to right field when Bowen made the catch and delivered a one-hop throw to home that caught Halpin at the plate and maintained the 1-0 lead for Altoona.
With the win, Altoona snapped a streak of 10 consecutive losses to Akron, putting the Curve's record against the RubberDucks at 2-10 this season.
Altoona continues their series with the RubberDucks tonight at 7:05 p.m.