The Altoona Curve offense fizzled out this week as the Curve went 2-4 and failed to score more than three runs in any of their six games.
Last week we talked about the Altoona offense being on fire to start the season, this past week the hitting and run scoring for the Curve struggled mightily. In their two wins, Monday and Wednesday, the offense mustered up a mere three runs while in their four losses, they scored seven total runs.
Of those who struggled, Kevin Newman saw his batting average dip to .284 after being at .304 heading into last Friday’s game in Akron. Newman wound up going 7 for 29 during the six-game road trip resulting in a .241 batting average.
The bright spot for Newman, who fluctuated between the lead-off and second spot in the batting order, is that he continuously put the ball in play despite the lack of results. Newman struck out once against Akron last Friday and that would end up being the lone strike out of the week for the Curve starting shortstop.
Waddell update
Altoona Curve starting pitcher Brandon Waddell continues to battle back to rejoin the team as he currently sits on the disabled list for the Curve. Recently, he threw a bullpen, but still remains on the DL, meaning that Austin Coley will start in his place Friday night.
Waddell was placed on the 7-day disabled list following a four inning four earned run outing in the second game of the season. The left-hander left the start with a left forearm strain and has been working his way back to join the rotation since.
While it is still early in the season, there’s no need for Waddell to rush back as the first-place Curve have proven they’re able to win without him. What is alarming, though, about his forearm strain is that many elbow injuries are misdiagnosed as forearm strains at first before further testing proves otherwise.
Curve bullpen lights out early
Last week we profiled closer Montana DuRapau and his performance in the bullpen so far this season. DuRapau is just one of many guys in the Altoona bullpen who have been pitching lights out in relief.
It’s not the starting rotation where you’ll find the pitcher with the most wins, or lowest ERA, it’s the Curve bullpen that has the bragging rights in those categories. Tate Scioneaux finds himself leading both of those categories for Altoona.
Scioneaux notched his third win of the season Monday night and has yet to yield an earned run this season. The right handed reliever also boasts a 6/1 strikeout to walk ratio and has allowed a mere seven hits in his six appearances out of the bull pen. The 6’1″ Scioneaux has worked two or more innings in four of his six outings.
Altoona Curve reliever Sean Keselica sits only one win behind bullpen counterpart Scioneaux with two wins so far this season, but it’s not the wins and losses that has been impressive early on, it’s been the rate and way in which he gets opponents out. Keselica has yet to give up an earned run thus far and in the process he’s struck out 11, walked four, and surrendered a measly three hits in 11 innings pitched. The lefty’s WHIP is an astounding 0.64 as opponents are hitting .083 off the first-year Curve reliever.
The Altoona bullpen has continued to be the most consistent unit over the course of the first month of the season en route to the Curve being in first place in the Eastern League Western divsion.
Up Next
The Altoona Curve return home for a six-game home stand against the Harrisburg Senators and Richmond Flying Squirrels as they embark on a stretch that will see them playing 17 games before their next off day. Altoona will send Austin Coley to the mound Friday night against the Senators while Yeudy Garcia toes the rubber looking to improve after struggling in his last outing for the Curve. Alex McRae takes the mound Sunday in the third and final game of the series against the Senators.
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