Curve Fall to Binghamton

BINGHAMTON- Three walks by Kip Bouknight in the sixth inning doomed the Curve as Jamar Hill put the B-Mets ahead with a two-run single en route to a 5-3 series opening victory.

Bouknight (11-4) was charged with all three runs scored by Binghamton in the sixth, although he left with the lead, relieved by Chris Hernandez.  After Bouknight had walked the bases loaded with two outs, the Curve turned to Hernandez, who promptly permitted the two-run single to Hill to plate Miguel Negron and J.E. Cruz and put the B-Mets ahead 3-2.  Mark Kiger scored on a Hernadez wild pitch to cap the rally and give Binghamton a 4-2 lead.

Cruz, who replaced Wilson Batista after he was hit in the head by Bouknight in the fourth, homered to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning to cap the Binghamton scoring.

Mike Carp got the B-Mets started with a solo home run in the first off of Bouknight for a 1-0 lead.  But the Curve got some help in starting a rally to go-ahead in the third.  B-Mets' starter Bobby Parnell (4-4) endured back-to-back defensive miscues to put Curve runners at first and third with nobody out.  Vic Buttler laced a single to tie the game, and Brett Roneberg's ground out scored Jason Bowers to put the Curve in front, 2-1.  

Peter Bergeron drove home Brian Peterson with a third Curve run in the ninth, but ultimately a night of opportunities went by the way-side for Altoona.  The Curve had the leadoff man aboard in each of the last seven innings and only managed one earned run.

The loss drops the Curve (63-56) into fourth place in the Southern Division behind the surging Bowie Baysox who won their seventh straight game to pull a game in front of Altoona.  The Curve loss drops them to 2-5 against the last-place B-Mets on the year and also gives Binghamton the season series victory

The middle game of the three-game series will be contested on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM.  RHP Dewon Brazelton (3-3, 4.22) will make the start for the Curve against RHP Jose Sanchez (3-6, 4.10) for Binghamton.   For more information, click here.