CURVE, Pa. – Casey Sadler pitched a complete-game gem as the Altoona Curve beat the Bowie Baysox, 2-1, on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
(Photo: Casey Sadler. Photo courtesy of Altoona Curve)
Sadler (Win, 2-3) worked through nine innings, surpassing his previous career high of eight innings set on May 6, 2013.
The Curve (69-60) improved to 4-12 in the season series against the Baysox (67-62) and stretched their lead over Bowie to two games in the Western Division with 11 games to play in the regular season.
Down 1-0 in the fifth inning, Altoona scored two runs to grab the lead. Jin-De-Jhang led off the inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Michael Suchy to tie the game at 1-1.
Later in the inning, Elvis Escobar singled and advanced to third on a single from Cole Tucker, setting up Jordan George who delivered another sac fly to give the Curve a 2-1 lead.
Bowie struck first in the third inning. Ryan Mountcastle led off with a single and came around to score after an RBI groundout by Erick Salcedo.
The win marked Altoona’s fifth consecutive victory, which is a new season high. It was also their 28th come-from-behind win. The Curve are nine games over the .500 mark, which ties a season high.
Baysox starter Lucas Long (Loss, 9-6) pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits, striking out three. Tim Berry pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Altoona will continue their series against the Baysox with game two on Friday. The Curve will send right-hander J.T. Brubaker (7-4, 4.47) to the mound, while Bowie will counter with right-hander David Hess (10-8, 4.13). First pitch at Peoples Natural Gas Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.