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By Jarrod Prugar
For the Mirror
The Altoona Curve won their ninth game in the last 10 outings with a 5-3 win over the Bowie Baysox on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,114 fans at PNG Field.
Charles McAdoo's three-hit afternoon paced the Curve as they took five of six from the Baysox on the week.
"We followed up the series we had against them at their place," Altoona manager Robby Hammock said. "It was nice to be able to follow that up."
The bats of McAdoo and left fielder Dustin Peterson did a lot of work against Bowie, accounting for five of Altoona's 10 hits, including two home runs, a double and two singles.
"McAdoo stepped up and set the tone early as the second batter for us, hitting the home run there," Hammock said.
They weren't the only ones who got into the extra base hit parade as center fielder Jace Bowen had a double and triple of his own. His RBI triple in the eighth plated catcher Carter Bins and gave Altoona a two-run cushion entering the ninth.
"Bowen had a couple of really good swings today," Hammock said. "He had fantastic swings in some big spots and looked really good."
The offense scattered five runs across eight innings to finish a well-pitched ballgame from the Curve pitching staff. Altoona relievers tossed 8• innings with Pirates reliever Ryan Borucki throwing ª innings against Bowie Sunday.
In those 8• innings, four Altoona relievers combined to allow one run on seven hits and struck out seven.
"We've pitched the ball really well lately," Hammock said. "It's kind of a contrast to what we were doing at the beginning but you know guys are starting to figure it out. There's been a bit of a line change down there in the bullpen and just trying to mix and match the best we can with what we know from the other team and the guys are stepping up to the plate."
Feelin' fishy
The Curve are now 6-0 in fish-themed jerseys. Four of those wins were as the Copa de la Diversion identity, the Peces Dorados.
The two wins against Bowie on Saturday and Sunday came with Altoona donning their Brookies identity.
Borucki back
Borucki has remained in Altoona to finish his rehab assignment. Sunday's performance didn't go too well for the major leaguer.
Borucki walked the leadoff batter, induced a flyout, then hit the next batter. A single and sac fly came after to tie the game up for the Baysox. He then walked the next hitter before exiting the game after throwing 22 pitches, 11 balls and strikes apiece.
Futures Game
Altoona pitcher Bubba Chandler threw a scoreless seventh inning in the MLB All-Star Futures Game Saturday afternoon as part of All-Star Weekend in Arlington, Texas.
Chandler allowed a hit and a walk while also striking out one in the seven inning contest.
Saturday's game
Saturday's win over Bowie was thanks in large part to Brenden Dixon's grand slam in the seventh inning.
Dixon's home run marked the second grand slam this season and 50th in team history.
RHP Scott Randall got the start and struck out three over four innings in his Double-A debut.
Next up
The Curve will head into the All-Star break with a 10-8 mark in the second half of the season and sit at 39-48 overall.
Altoona will be back in action on the road against Somerset for a three-game series that starts Friday.