The Curve scored nine times on eight hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 9-2 lead and eventual 9-3 win over the Somerset Patriots on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Altoona earned a series win against Somerset, four games to two.

Altoona’s offense was held to just three hits and two walks in the first six innings before breaking out against the Patriots’ bullpen in the seventh. With the bases loaded and nobody out, pinch-hitter Shawn Ross smashed a grand slam to left-center.

Ross’ home run was just the second pinch-hit grand slam in franchise history and first since Tony DeRosso on May 6, 2002 at Reading.

Altoona added five more runs on a two-run single from Sammy Siani, an RBI single from Nick Cimillo, a hustle double from Mike Jarvis and another run-scoring single from Brendan Dixon. The Curve sent 13 batters to the plate.

On the mound, Alessandro Ercolani fired three hitless innings, earning four strikeouts and allowing only one base runner, who reached on an error. Valentin Linarez earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, needing just 16 pitches to retire all six men he faced. Jaden Woods and Justin Meis finished off the victory. Curve pitchers earned nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter for a second straight game to finish the series.

Saturday’s game

Jack Brannigan drove in both of Altoona’s runs, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, to secure a 2-1 win over the Patriots in front of 4,198 fans at PNG Field on Saturday.

With the game tied at one in the eighth, Jase Bowen singled, stole second and advanced to third on a fly out from Cimillo. With two outs in the inning, Brannigan won an eight-pitch battle with Somerset righty Kelly Austin and lined a single into center field to plate the go-ahead run.

Starter Po-Yu Chen tossed five scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and one hit batsman, and struck out five.

Up next

The Curve travel to Bowie on Tuesday to begin a six-game series against the Chesapeake Baysox. LHP Hunter Barco takes the ball for Altoona, with Chesapeake’s starter yet to be announced. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.