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Bullpen struggles sinks Double-A Altoona in a 6-4 loss against Akron

Sunday saw the Double-A Altoona Curve fall to the Akron RubberDucks 6-4. This loss was largely due to a poor day for the Altoona bullpen. With the loss, the Curve have fallen to on the season.

Aaron Shortridge started for Altoona and turned in one of his best starts since he made his season debut after missing the start of the season recovering from injury. In 4 innings pitched he allowed 2 runs, only 1 earned, on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts. It should also be noted that the unearned run that scored came via a throwing error on an errant pickoff attempt by Shortridge.

After Shortridge left the game pitching Austin Roberts pitched a scoreless 5th inning, it was at this point that pitching woes began for the Curve. Cristofer Melendez pitched 2 innings, allowing 2 runs on three hits, a walk and three strikeouts. The normally reliable Nick Dombkowski pitched the 8th inning, allowing 2 runs on two hits, one of which was a home run. Bear Bellomy would then pitch a scoreless 9th inning for Altoona.

Despite the loss, the Curve were able to get the winning run to the plate in the 9th inning. Liover Peguero, who finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, drew a two out walk. After Aaron Shackelford drew a walk of his own, Josh Bissonette singled home Peguero to cut the RubberDucks lead to 6-4. Matt Fraizer then struck out to end the game.

To circle back to Peguero, he also made this tremendous defensive play in the game.

Shackelford’s 9th inning walk was part of a big day for the first baseman. He finished the game 3-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, his 18th double, 19th home run and three RBI. Shackelford now has an .825 OPS on the season as he pushed for a promotion to Triple-A.