Around the Curve | Big Tuna of the Week - June 25-30
The second half of the season is upon us, which means new beginnings and opportunities for players to rise above the rest. This week we look back at our most recent series against the Akron RubberDucks at Peoples Natural Gas Field. During the week, we experienced the phenomenon that is
The second half of the season is upon us, which means new beginnings and opportunities for players to rise above the rest. This week we look back at our most recent series against the Akron RubberDucks at Peoples Natural Gas Field. During the week, we experienced the phenomenon that is the Pirates No.1 Prospect Bubba Chandler, and the quick-footed bat that is Yoyner Fajardo. Let's look back at what they did to deserve the honor of being the first recipients of Big Tuna of the Week.
While Fajardo might be one of the newer additions to the team this season, he’s had no issue feeling right at home with Altoona. Since joining the team, he’s hitting.324 with seven RBIs and eight stolen bases. Additionally, Fajardo has reached base safely in 15 straight games, during which he's batting .345/.422/.382 with 2 doubles, five RBI, and seven BB. In the series, Fajardo recorded a team-high seven hits and reached base in every game.
Fajardo was originally a Pirates farmhand when he signed with the organization in 2018. After a strong 2022 campaign with High-A Greensboro, the Minnesota Twins selected him in the Rule V draft. Pittsburgh traded back for Fajardo at the beginning of June and assigned him to Altoona.
Yoyner Fajardo puts us back in front! pic.twitter.com/UQeTWimnTj
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 25, 2024
Moving onto our Pitcher of the Week, Chandler provided everything you could want out of a high-level prospect performance and more on Thursday night, as he bashed the Akron RubberDucks in his 6.2 inning win. While Bubba gave up two runs on three hits, he struck out a career-high 11 batters.
Since his return from the IL on May 29, Chandler has walked just 4 batters in 29.1 IP with 38 strikeouts, recording a 3-2 record with a 2.76 ERA (9 ER / 29.1 IP) with a 0.89 WHIP. Chandler was also named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (June 17-23), the first to receive the honor since Mike Burrows and Quinn Priester took home weekly honors during the 2022 season. Bubba was also just named to the Futures Game during the All-Star Break in Texas.
AND NOW BUBBA HAS A CAREER-HIGH 11 K's pic.twitter.com/OeTkFXPulx
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 27, 2024
Other notable performances in the series included Tsung-Che Cheng (6-for-20, 5 RBI), Charles McAdoo (5-for-26, 11 TB, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR), and Joe Perez (5-for-20, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI). However, Fajardo and Chandler shined above the rest.
The Altoona Curve hit the road for a special three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators, The Double-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!
Curve Drop Series Finale in Akron
CURVE, PA – Altoona took a 13-1 loss in their series finale at Akron on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. With the loss, Altoona’s record drops to 3-6. Termarr Johnson picked up two infield singles and a walk in five plate appearances as part of a six-hit day for the
RubberDucks Quack Curve Bullpen in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Anthony Solometo struck out five batters over five one-run innings in his second start of the season, but the Akron RubberDucks scored three runs off the Curve bullpen to hand Altoona a 4-3 loss on Saturday night at Canal Park. Solometo left the game after allowing just
Bowen Bashes Three Hits in 8-1 Win
CURVE, PA – The Curve offense banged out ten hits and drew eight walks to push Altoona to an 8-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at Canal Park. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, Altoona used a bases loaded walk from Shawn Ross and a wild pitch
Curve Pitching Strike Out 14 in Shutout Win
CURVE, PA – Hunter Barco, Valentin Linarez, Justin Meis, and Cam Sanders combined to produce the first shutout win of the season for Altoona on Thursday night, holding Akron to just three hits in a 2-0 Curve win at Canal Park. Barco matched his Double-A high with five strikeouts in
Tres Gonzalez Tosses Scoreless 8th Inning
CURVE, PA – Altoona dropped their second straight game at Canal Park on Wednesday night, falling 13-1 to the ‘Ducks. The Curve picked up their lone run in the second inning. Jack Brannigan led off the frame with a single and after a strikeout and a walk by Aaron McKeithan,
Late Rally From ‘Ducks Sinks Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona scored a pair of first inning runs and led 5-2 after four innings, however, the Akron RubberDucks rallied for a 6-5 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Canal Park. The Curve offense worked two walks and two hits off Akron starter Rorik Maltrud, plating
Sammy Slams Baysox In Sunday Win
CURVE, PA – Outfielder Sammy Siani’s two-run homer stood up as the only runs needed for the Curve in their series finale against Chesapeake as the Curve earned a 2-1 win over the Baysox on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Anthony Solometo continued a solid run of pitching
Dotel Dazzles in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Making his Double-A debut, Curve starter Wilber Dotel tossed five scoreless innings, however, Altoona dropped their second straight game to the Chesapeake Baysox, 2-0, on Saturday evening at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Dotel allowed just two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out four against
Baysox Swipe Opening Day Win From Curve
CURVE, PA – Brenden Dixon swatted a solo homer and the Curve drew seven walks, but dropped their Opening Day matchup with the Chesapeake Baysox, 3-2, on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve used three walks and a single to pick up the game’s first run in
Pirates Reveal 2025 Altoona Curve Break Camp Roster
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday an initial list of 29 players reporting to Altoona for the 2025 season. The player list features five players that are ranked in the Pirates Top 30 prospects by MLB.com, including two in the Top 10 and one player ranked among the
Altoona Curve Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
CURVE, PA –The Altoona Curve are pleased to share the full 2025 promotional schedule, which will once again feature a theme or promotion for all 69 home games at Peoples Natural Gas Field! “After a long winter of work, we are excited to share the exciting promotional schedule for our
Altoona Curve Announces Return of “Pints for Vets” Tasting Event
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the return of Pints for Vets, presented by Ward Trucking. The beer, wine, & spirits sampling event will be held at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday, June 28, with proceeds benefiting Band of Heroes Outdoors, a nonprofit organization that
Altoona Curve Announce New Changes at Peoples Natural Gas Field for the 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the newest staff additions and stadium policies at Peoples Natural Gas Field that will be put in place for the 2025 season, presented by Stuckey Automotive. “It is hard to believe that the offseason has flown by already,” said Curve
SportsNet Pittsburgh To Air 20 Curve Games at PNG Field During 2025 Campaign
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce that 20 home games during the 2025 season will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh. “We are so really looking forward to expanding our partnership with SportsNet Pittsburgh to air more Altoona Curve games this season,” said Curve General Manager Nate Bowen.
Pirates Spring Breakout Game to be Broadcasted on Curve Radio Network
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Altoona Curve is excited to announce that the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Breakout Game will be broadcasted live on the Fly Altoona Curve Radio Network on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. from Clearwater, Florida. Fans can listen to the game on 96.1 Hank-FM, Pirates.com, the MLB
Around the Curve | Eight Former Curve Named to Pirates Spring Breakout Roster
CURVE, PA. – MLB's annual prospect Showcase, the Spring Breakout game, will pit top Pirates minor league prospects against top Phillies prospects on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. at Clearwater's Baycare Ballpark, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Info). The Pirates vs. Phillies game will be broadcast nationally on MLB
Andy Fox Named Altoona Curve Manager for 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the 2025 Coaching Staff for the upcoming season in Curve, PA, headlined by new manager Andy Fox. “I am thrilled to welcome Andy Fox and his staff to Curve, PA for the 2025 season,” said Curve General
Curve Accepting Nominations for 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year to be Honored on Teacher Appreciation Night
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the opening of the 2025 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year Competition. Three nominated teachers will be named Teachers of the Year with a special on-field ceremony on Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by 1st Summit Bank, on Saturday, May
Third Year of Curve Charities Generates Over $84,000 in Donations to Area Non-Profits
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs and organizations that promote exercise, health, activity and education for the betterment of youth and community, is pleased to announce recipients of grant money and in-kind services for the 2024 grant cycle. The 2024 grant
CurveFest Returns to Peoples Natural Gas Field on March 1
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the return of CurveFest, presented by Ravine, on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spring celebration of Curve Baseball at CurveFest will give fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets, and the first 200 fans
Curve to Host Promotional Calendar Kick-Off Event at Levity Brewing Company
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce a brand new kick off event to reveal the 2025 Promotional Schedule, inviting fans to join them on Monday, February 24 at Levity Brewing Company in Altoona for First Pitch: A 2025 Season Preview. The February First Pitch event is
Curve Charities Gala Set to Return on Saturday, February 8
CURVE, PA –Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization, are pleased to announce the return of the Curve Charities Gala on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Altoona Grand Hotel. The fundraiser features a special appearance from Curve alumnus and former Pittsburgh Pirate Ian Snell as well as a silent auction
Around the Curve | Paul Skenes Wins Rookie of the Year Award
CURVE, Pa. – Paul Skenes has gone from college phenom to rookie sensation in a year’s time, and the accolades are just beginning to pile up. After a dominant campaign that stacks up as one of the best rookie seasons by a pitcher in Major League history, Skenes has been
Around the Curve | Jared Triolo Wins First Gold Glove Award
CURVE, Pa. – In 2022, Jared Triolo took the field in his Altoona Curve uniform to accept his Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award for his fantastic infield play at Greensboro in 2021. Next season, he will repeat the action in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Triolo was named the winner
Curve Announce 2025 Game Times and Fireworks Dates at Peoples Natural Gas Field
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are pleased to announce home game times and fireworks dates for the 2025 season. Game times are subject to change. The 2025 season will once again feature 6:00 p.m. start times for many of the team’s home games