Curve fall to 1-8 in last nine with loss

04/23/24 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski /
Curve third baseman Joe Perez (left) and pitcher Chris Gau look for the loose ball after Akron’s Kahlil Watson advances on a throwing error after attempting to steal third.

By Jarrod Prugar

For the Mirror

The Altoona Curve’s losing streak extended to four games with Tuesday night’s 4-0 loss to Akron in front of 3,329 fans at PNG Field.

“These guys are grinding every day. There’s a lot of work that goes on that people don’t see,” Altoona manager Robby Hammock said. “Sometimes in certain parts of the season, certain parts or your career you go through these learning curves that you’re trying to work through, trying to get over. The thing right now, you know, is we’ve got to take a step back and simplify things, get back to basics and go from there.

It marked the eighth loss in the last nine games for the Curve, who have now been held scoreless twice by the RubberDucks this season.

Altoona managed to get baserunners on throughout the game as it drew eight walks on the night, but couldn’t muster up timely hits to make the baserunners worthwhile. In fact, the Curve grounded into three double plays and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

“It’s been kind of a theme. We’ve had some games where we’ve gotten base runners, a lot of base runners and just couldn’t get that big knock at the right time,” Hammock said. “It comes from pressing and trying to do too much, and it’s just a learning process getting back to simplifying things and simplifying the message.”

Curve starter Chris Gau made it through the first two innings without yielding a run, but things went sideways in the third when Gau attempted to pick off Akron’s Kahlil Watson at second base. Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng’s throw was wide of third baseman Joe Perez, which resulted in a throwing error and set the stage for Aaron Bracho’s three-run homer.

“They gave us an out and we made a mistake. They made a mistake, and then we didn’t capitalize on it, and we made a mistake right after what happened with them,” Hammock said. “The 3-0 situation trying to not walk the guy but that was a spot and possibly, you know, we were a little more careful with the middle of their order and try and keep it away from him there.”

A quick turnaround is in order for Altoona who will be back in action this morning at 11 a.m. for the first Education Day of the season. The early wakeup could be a blessing in disguise for certain players looking to get right early in the season.

“Sometimes guys might need more time to process, but it all depends on the individual. Sometimes it can be beneficial,” Hammock said.

He shines

The Curve offense mustered two hits on the night, both off the bat of first baseman Aaron Shackelford. He was 2-for-4 with a double and single.

Making his Case

Reliever Brad Case was a bright spot on an otherwise dismal night for the Curve.

Case tossed three innings without allowing a hit and striking out three while walking only one. It kept the RubberDucks from doing more damage while keeping the team in it despite a lackluster offensive night.

“When he’s commanding his pitches, he can be really tough,” Hammock said. He’s been working through some things over the last couple of years. And there’s some interesting stuff there when he’s on. He just did a great job of mowing through three innings.”

Next up

Bubba Chandler takes the mound for the Curve today. In his last time out, Chandler went five innings, struck out five, walked two and allowed two earned runs against Bowie.

The No. 5 Pirates prospect is 1-0 in three starts this season with 15 strikeouts in 12.1 innings.