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The Curve suffer a tough loss

On Thursday the Double-A Altoona Curve fell to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-4. With the loss the Curve fell to 16-20 on the season. Almost an identical record to the Pittsburgh Pirates who currently sit at 16-21.

Carmen Mlodzinski returned from the injured list to start for the Curve, allowing 3 runs, only 1 of which was earned, on 3 hits, 4 walks and 2 strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched. Noe Toribio followed Mlodzinski pitching 3.2 scoreless innings, sinking out 4 batters. Toribio now has a 2.25 ERA and has struck out 30 batters in 24 innings pitched this season. Toribio continues to push for a promotion to the Triple-A level.

Austin Roberts allowed a run on a hit and two walks in his inning pitched. Zach Matson struck out a pair of batters faced in a scoreless inning pitched, helping to get the Curve to the 9th inning with the game tied at 4. In the top of the 9th inning Colin Selby allowed a run on a hit and a walk, despite striking out a pair it was not enough as the Flying Squirrels scored what proved to be the winning run as an Andres Alvarez walk was the lone base runner the Curve could muster in the bottom half of the inning.

The aforementioned Alvarez hit leadoff for the Curve, going 1-for-2 with 3 walks. He now has a 1.061 OPS on the season and could also be a player in line for a promotion to Triple-A Indy soon. Liover Peguero was 1-for-4 with his 12th double of the season, while Jared Triolo and Connor Scott were each 1-for-4 as well.

Second baseman Nick Gonzales was the offensvie star for the Curve in their loss. The 7th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft got off to a woeful start this season, but has heated up in recent weeks and that continue with a 2-for-5 performance on Thursday. He hit his 7th double and 4th home run of the season, raising his OPS to .778.