Gregory Polanco went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI as the Curve pounded out 16 hits while completing a sweep of Saturday’s doubleheader at Richmond, winning 13-1. (Game One Recap: Nick Kingham Labors As Curve Prevail)
Andy Vasquez provided the big hit during a seven-run fourth inning, tripling to right field to score three. The Curve managed seven tallies on just three hits during the frame, thanks to the wildness of four Flying Squirrel pitchers. The inning saw four walks and a Jarek Cunningham hit-by-pitch as 12 Curve batters came to the plate.
Staked to a nine run cushion, Casey Sadler cruised through four innings before struggling in the fifth. Sadler walked two in the fifth, before using a 4-6-3 double play to escape a bases loaded, one out jam unscathed. Making his fourth start of the year against Richmond, and second at the Diamond, Sadler extended his scoreless streak in the capital of Virginia to 13.1 innings before giving up a run in the 7th. In earning his 11th win of the year Sadler allowed six hits and four walks across 6.1 frames, striking out two. Quinton Miller came on to record the final two outs.
Alen Hanson went 3-for-5, singling three times and driving in a run as all Curve position players had at least one hit, and one RBI. Vasquez finished 2-of-5 with 3 RBI and two runs scored, and Justin Howard went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs.
The series wraps up in Richmond Sunday afternoon, where David Bromberg (6-10, 3.17 era) is scheduled to face Edwin Escobar (4-3, 2.98 era).
Notable Players
**SS Alen Hanson singled three times in five at-bats, scoring once and driving one run in. He had a superb evening in the field, twice going deep into the hole almost behind third base, making long throws across the diamond for putouts. There were some flaws to his evening however. Hanson took off from first in the first inning before Richmond starter Taylor Rogers even thought about coming home, and was thrown out easily sliding in to second. He would have scored as this mistake was followed by a single, a fly out, and another single. He also didn’t appear to pick the ball up off of Polanco’s bat during a third inning double. He scored with ease, and was running on the play, but stalled around second nonetheless.
**RF Gregory Polanco ripped two doubles to deep left center, driving in runs with both knocks. Equally as impressive was a five pitch walk he earned during the seven-run fourth against sidearm lefty Phil McCormick. McCormick made Polanco look silly on three pitches during Thursday night’s game, and Polanco’s patience was well noted this evening.
**LF Alex Dickerson did not play in the second game of the twin-bill, and remains hitless during the series.
