Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate completes strange game

Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate Altoona Curve had quite an interesting game Thursday night before 6,211 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. The game went 18 innings and resulted in an 8-7 win for the Reading Fighting Phils. A couple of the bigger stories here are what I would like to take a quick look at.

John Kuchno was vying for the two inning save in the 9th inning when he gave up a walk, then hit a batter giving the Fighting Phils 2 on and no out. Art Charles came to the plate and hit a game tying three run homer to tie the ball game and give Kuchno his fourth blown save of the season. Kuchno then got the next three batters out to send the game to extra innings.

Outfielder Andy Vasquez replaced Adam Frazier in center field in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the 15th inning, Edward Salcedo pinch hit for the pitcher, Josh Smith. Salcedo stayed in the game to play left field while Willy Garcia moved to center field. Andy Vasquez then came in to pitch. Andy pitched 3 scoreless innings while allowing only 2 hits, 2 walks and a strikeout. In the bottom of the 18th, Andy moved from the mound to left field and Edward Salcedo came on to pitch. He walked the first batter, then allowed a bunt for a hit, then intentionally walked the next batter before throwing a four pitch walk to Cam Perkins for a walk off walk.

Catcher Jacob Stallings was behind the plate for all 18 innings while catching for seven different pitchers. He also accounted for three hits including a two run home run.

The two teams combined for thirty hits, thirty strike outs, thirteen walks and a home run for each team.

For those wondering, Josh Bell was 2 for 7 with a walk. Stetson Allie was 1 for 7 with four strike outs. Dan Gamache was 3 for 8 with four RBIs. Gift Ngoepe was 0 for 7 with three strike outs. Max Moroff was 1 for 8. Willy Garcia was 2 for 7 with a double.

Please remember to keep an eye out Monday for our weekly Minor League Report to see how the rest of the week went for the Curve and the rest of the Pirates Minor League Affiliates.

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