Double-A Report: Owens receives a no decision in 8-4 win

The Altoona Curve were able to snap a six-game losing streak at Waterfront Park by grabbing their first win at the home field of the Trenton Thunder in nearly two years by ousting the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate with an 8-4 win on Wednesday night to even a three-game series at a game apiece.

The Curve secured their first win at Waterfront Park since July 29, 2008 and did it by jumping out to a 4-0 edge early and using a total of 10 walks in the game issued by Thunder arms.

In the first inning, Gorkys Hernandez would cross the plate on an RBI single by Matt Hague to put the Curve up 1-0. Altoona would tack on two more runs against Trenton (39-24) starter Wilkin De La Rosa in the second inning. Chase d’Arnaud’s sacrifice fly to right field and Hernandez’s single put the Curve up, 3-0. d'Arnaud would later extend his hitting streak to five games with a single in the sixth inning.

In the fifth off of reliever Cory Arbiso, Hector Gimenez slammed home a single to right field that plated Josh Harrison to put the Curve (42-23) up by a quartet of runs.

Curve starter Rudy Owens cruised through the first five innings and recorded two quick outs in the sixth before allowing three straight baserunners to reach. With the bases loaded reliever Derek Hankins immediately allowed a three-run double off the bat of Daniel Brewer to bring the Thunder within one, 4-3. The very next batter, Marcos Vechionacci doubled home Brewer to knot the score, 4-4.

The Curve would immediately counter and take a lead they would not relinquish in the top of the seventh. Alex Presley’s RBI fielder’s choice gave the Curve a 5-4 advantage and Altoona would add to their lead in the eighth using five walks issued by Kevin Whelan in the eighth – two with the bases loaded – to take a 7-4 edge. That same inning, Presley singled home the game’s final run to put the Curve up 8-4.

The rubber-match of the three-game series will be played on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. and have Altoona turn the ball over to RHP Bryan Morris (3-1, 2.33) against Trenton righty Lance Pendleton (4-3, 3.50). Airtime on flagship station ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM begins at 6:35 p.m.