Trending
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Starter Antwone Kelly picked up a career-high nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings, but Altoona dropped a 2-1 decision to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Thursday night at Mirabito Stadium.
Altoona has dropped five in a row since its 9-1 start to the second half, including all three games of its series this week with the Rumble Ponies.
Altoona nearly rallied for the victory with a walk from Esmerlyn Valdez and a double from Omar Alfonzo with two outs in the ninth, however, Nick Cimillo flew out to left field to end the game, stranding two in scoring position.
The Curve got their lone run on an inside-the-park home run from Sammy Siani in the seventh inning. Siani lined a 1-0 offering to left-center field and Binghamton center fielder Nick Morabito stumbled and fell, allowing the ball to go all the way to the wall. Siani zoomed around the bases and scored just ahead of the relay throw from shortstop Jett Williams.
On the mound, Kelly overcame a 28-pitch first inning to work into the fifth inning. He picked up two strikeouts in each of his final four innings, leaving after his ninth punchout. Kelly tossed a career-high 92 pitches and permitted just four hits and two walks.
Brandon Bidois fired 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Beau Burrows followed and allowed a run for the first time in a Curve uniform, allowing a double to Matt O'Neill in the bottom of the seventh and after a wild pitch, O'Neill scored on a balk to take a 2-1 lead for the Rumble Ponies.