Cannonballs coming: Newman homers, Hearn struggles

Indianapolis had the evening off.

Altoona lost to the RubberDucks of Akron 4-3. Altoona received a strong performance from Austin Coley who went 7 innings allowing 6 hits and 2 runs. His command was good tonight as he threw 58 of 86 pitches for strikes and didn’t issue a walk. Coley induced 8 groundballs vs 5 flyouts and generally seemed to be getting weak contact. His offspeed and breaking pitches looked impressive getting a number of swinging strikes.

Kevin Newman (pictured, 539 OPS in last 10 games) led off the game with a line drive homerun to left field that got out in a hurry. Connor Joe also worked a very nice at bat before roping a single up the middle in the 1st and finished the night 2-3 with a walk.

Old friend Luis Heredia came into a 2-2 game in the top of the 8th inning. Unfortunately, there isn’t much positive to report. The broadcast reported his velocity at 95 mph but his command was unimpressive and Pablo Reyes made a running catch on ball drilled to deep center to end the 8th. Heredia started the 9th inning but allowed 3 walks before giving way to Montana DuRapau and 2 came across to score as the Curve went on to lose 4-3. A Wyatt Mathisen homer got the Curve within 1 in the bottom of the 9th.

Austin Coley 7 IP, 6Ks, 0 walks

Kevin Newman 1-3, homerun, 2 walks

Kevin Kramer 0-4, 3Ks

Wyatt Mathisen 2-4, homerun (851 OPS)

Bradenton lost an ugly game to St. Lucie 7-2. The night got off to a bad start as Taylor Hearn threw 40 pitches in the 1st inning allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and 4 runs before being removed. Will Craig went 2-4 with a double. Aside from Craig, it was a quiet night at the plate with the Marauders only recording 5 singles.

Taylor Hearn 1 IP, 3 hits, 2 walks, 3Ks

Yunior Montero 4 IP, 4 hits, 1 walk, 2Ks

Cole Tucker 1-4 with 1K

Ke’Bryan Hayes 1-4 with 1K

Casey Hughston 2-3

West Virginia was rained out.