(PR) (Altoona, PA)- Altoona hit two home runs and went on for an 8-4 win over the Thunder on Saturday night from Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, PA. The win is Altoona’s first of the season against Trenton. The Thunder still lead the season-series 4-1.
Trenton scored a two-out run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Shortstop Eduardo Nunez singled. He stole second, and then scored on an RBI single by Catcher Jesus Montero. Altoona quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. First baseman Jason Delaney singled home Shortstop Brian Friday to tie the game a 1-1, and the Curve took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly RBI by Left fielder Jonel Pacheco. The Curve increased the lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning on an RBI ground out by Catcher Miguel Perez. Altoona extended the lead to 6-1 with three runs in the fifth inning. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez connected on a solo home run off of Thunder Starting Pitcher Lance Pendleton (0-1) to make it 4-1. Later in the inning, Right fielder Miles Durham blasted a two-run home run to add to the lead.
Down 6-1, Trenton scored a run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 6-2. Right fielder Edwar Gonzalez picked up a two-out RBI single to score First baseman Chris Malec. Trenton plated two runs in the seventh inning to pull even closer. Center fielder Austin Krum delivered an RBI double off of Altoona Reliever Corey Hamman to make it 6-3. A sacrifice fly RBI by Nunez capped off the scoring in the inning. Trenton had the tying runs in scoring position in the top of the eighth inning, but Altoona Reliever Michael Dubee retired Third baseman Marcos Vechionacci on a ground out to end the threat. Vechionacci and Robnett each had two hits in the loss. Trenton went 2 x 10 with runners in scoring position, after going 3 x 15 with RISP on Friday night. Altoona scored two insurance runs in the eighth inning off of Thunder Reliever Jason Stephens.
Pendleton allowed six hits and six runs over 4 1/3 innings in his Double-A debut to take the loss. He struck out three and walked three. Altoona Starting Pitcher Tim Alderson hurled 5 2/3 innings in his Altoona debut to earn the win. He scattered seven hits and two runs (one earned).
Trenton and Altoona play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday night. RHP Ryan Pope (4-8, 5.40) will start for Trenton against Altoona RHP Yoslan Herrera (7-0, 3.33). Game time is set for 6:05 p.m.