ALTOONA, Pa. – Ian Snell threw five shutout innings and Kevin Nicholson had an RBI and scored the winning run as the Altoona Curve defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 3-2 Thursday night on opening day of the Eastern League.

Altoona (1-0) scored in each of the first two innings and made it 3-0 on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Snell gave up four hits and struck out six for the victory.

The Sea Dogs (0-1) scored on Jesus Medrano’s solo home run in the eighth inning and on a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Starting pitcher Charlie Zink allowed only two hits and two earned runs, but walked five in taking the loss.