ALTOONA, PA — The Altoona Curve (35-29) scored four times in the fourth inning and Alex McRae (5-2) hurled seven innings, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs (29-32), 7-1 on Thursday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

McRae tossed seven innings on four hits, one run and fanned five, earning his first career win against Portland. LHP Trey Ball (1-6) suffered the loss, yielding eight hits and five runs over four innings pitched.

The Curve snapped a 1-1 tie with a four-run second against Ball. Zane Chavez snapped a 1-1 tie with a run-scoring single. Kevin Newman and Edwin Espinal added RBI hits in the frame.Altoona scored two in the eighth on a two-run homer by Jerrick Suiter.

Altoona took a 1-0 lead in the second inning against Ball. Kevin Newman delivered an RBI infield-single, but Ball got out of the inning with a double play. 

Rafael Devers tied the game in the fourth inning with a solo-homer to right field. Devers set a new career-high with his 12th homer, which leads the team.

LHP Jake Drehoff worked three scoreless in relief of Ball, allowing one hit and fanning two. 

The Sea Dogs open up a three-game series on Friday night against the Akron RubberDucks (Indians affiliate) at Canal Park.RHP Jacob Dahlstrand (5-1, 5.79) makes his 13th appearance for the ‘Dogs in the series opener. LHP Matt Whitehouse (2-3, 3.40) gets the starting nod for Akron. First pitch from Ohio is 7:00 PM.

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