Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Kyle Nicolas, Luis Ortiz Both Pitch 5 Scoreless Innings & More

Altoona Curve starting pitcher Kyle Nicolas throws against the Akron RubberDucks during the first
Altoona Curve starting pitcher Kyle Nicolas throws against the Akron RubberDucks during the first / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Kyle Nicolas, big 5th inning carry Altoona to victory

Tuesday night the Double-A Altoona Curve kicked off their home series against the Bowie Baysox with a 6-1 victory. Altonna's victory, which improved them to 4-6 on the season, was fueled by a dominant starting pitching performance and a 5th inning offensive explosion.

Righty Kyle Nicolas started for the Curve and shoved. Nicolas pitched 6 innings, allowing just three hits, walking a pair, and striking out three batters. The lone run he allowed came on a solo home run in the 6th inning.

Turning in one of the best starts of his professional career, Nicolas lowered his ERA on the season to 5.79 to go with 10 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched. Hopefully this start will help to right the ship for Nicolas who was off to a slow start this season.

Lefties Nick Dombkowski and Braeden Ogle would follow Nicolas. Dombkowski pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings of relief while striking out a pair. Ogle then pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning. The two combined to retire all nine batters they faced.

Entering the 5th inning the game was scoreless, but this is when the Altoona offense would explode.

Andres Alvarez singled to start the inning and Connor Scott reached on an error. Domingo Leyba and Henry Davis each singled in a run, then Mason Martin drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Matt Gorski then launched a grand slam, his 2nd home run of the season, to make the score 6-0 Curve.