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By Jarrod Prugar
For the Mirror
The Altoona Curve split a doubleheader with the Somerset Patriots Sunday afternoon with a 5-2 loss in game one and a 3-1 win in game two in front of 4,071 fans at PNG Field.
It was Thomas Harrington who got the nod in game two of the doubleheader, his Double-A debut for Altoona. Harrington is the No. 6 ranked prospect in the Pirates organization according to MLB.com and began the season on the Injured List.
"It was definitely good," Harrington said. "I was pretty thrilled, executed pretty well today, so it's just good to get back out there and compete. It feels like it's been forever."
Harrington was injured during spring training and spent the early part of the season rehabbing and getting back to form before being reinstated from the IL ahead of Sunday's game.
He struck out four while walking one and didn't allow a hit over his three innings of work. For Curve manager Robby Hammock, it was a glimpse into what made Harrington special last season when he coached him in Greensboro.
"It was vintage Harrington and what I saw last year," Hammock said. "It's being able to mix pitches. pitch to weak spots and execute."
Harrington's execution was on point throughout his outing as he faced the minimum in his three innings, despite a second- inning walk. He kept Patriots hitters off-balance and guessing.
"He got some nice swing and misses which was nice to see, " Hammock said. "It was good to see him coming back from a little injury he had in spring training to make his Double-A debut."
It was the first injury of his professional career for Harrington and wasn't something he is used to dealing with as a professional.
"It definitely presents a new challenge. I've never really dealt with injuries before, so it was definitely mentally challenging just to kind of keep going and keep working on something every single day," Harrington said. "It was a good challenge, and it'll make me better."
Entering spring training, Harrington was a guy who was expected to be in the starting rotation, one that features a bevy of prospects atop the organization.
"He was a guy that was slotted there at the beginning and now he's finally here and I think it kind of solidifies the rotation," Hammock said.
The Curve rotation now features prospects ranked No. 4 through No. 7 in Anthony Solometo, Bubba Chandler, Harrington and Braxton Ashcraft respectively.
Long gone
Altoona's Joe Perez paced hitters in the Curve's win with two hits, including a mammoth home run to add some insurance late in the game.
His performance, as well as the offense as a whole, is a sight for sore eyes for Hammock's club during their early-season woes.
"There have been much better at bats this week," Hammock said. "With that being said there's still a way to go."
While work still needs to be done, Hammock is pleased with the progress.
"There are still some guys that aren't really hitting to their potential or having at bats to their potential," Hammock said. "They are still working through some things. I think when all that comes together, we'll be in a really good spot."
The struggle
Altoona lefty Anthony Solometo's early-season struggles continued in game Sunday.
He threw three innings in the 5-2 loss, but allowed two home runs and three earned runs on three hits while walking four.
"He was a little off," Hammock said. "He's still working through some things and he'll get it. It's just going to be a matter of time."
Knocked around
On Saturday, both teams battled Mother Nature as well as their opponent on the field. Mother Nature got the first laugh as rain forced a three hour and 37 minute rain delay, forcing the second game of the scheduled doubleheader to be played Sunday.
When the teams did take the field, Curve starter Bubba Chandler recorded six strikeouts, but ran into trouble in the fourth inning as Somerset scored seven runs. He allowed four runs on four hits and three walks. Chandler got the loss as the Curve fell 7-3.
Next up
Altoona heads to Akron for a six-game series against the Rubber Ducks starting Tuesday at 11 a.m. The last time the Curve took on Akron, the Rubber Ducks served up a six-game sweep, the first in team history.