Curve Lose 7-3

BINGHAMTON, NY- A six-run Binghamton fifth inning sunk the Curve in a 7-3 loss to the Mets in the deciding game of a three-game series Thursday evening at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, NY. Despite dropping two of three games to the B-Mets for the third time this season, Altoona (64-57) finishes its season-long nine-game road trip by winning six of nine games. The Curve swept Portland to open the trip and took two of three at New Hampshire last weekend. Altoona remains 4 1/2 games behind E.L. South wild-card leader Erie, which dropped a 7-0 decision at Reading Thursday. The loss wasn't the only bad news for the Curve Thursday. Following the game, third baseman Neil Walker, outfielder Andrew McCutchen and left-handed reliever Dave Davidson were promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis. The three players leave the Curve just one day before the club opens a pivotal four-game weekend series against Erie at Blair County Ballpark. Curve starter Luis Munoz (10-5) was handed the loss in his second appearance since returning from a two-start stint at Triple-A. The right-hander departed the game in the middle of Binghamton's six-run fifth inning and was charged with six runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, B-Mets' righty Kevin Mulvey, one of the New York Mets' top-rated minor league pitchers, scattered seven Curve hits and three runs over eight innings to notch the win. Mulvey (10-10) walked two and fanned five to become the first Binghamton hurler this season to reach double-digit victories. Jason Bowers tripled in the top of the third to get the Curve on the board in the third inning, while Walker knocked in the other two Altoona runs with a single in his final at-bat with the club in the eighth. J.E. Cruz and Caleb Stewart each hit home runs in the Binghamton victory. Stewart's three-run shot plated half of the Mets' six runs in the fifth. The Curve return to Blair County Ballpark Friday evening to open their four-game weekend set against Erie. Friday's first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Josh Shortslef (3-12, 4.52) will start for Altoona against SeaWolves' righty Dallas Trahern (11-6, 3.79). Ballpark gates will open at 6 and fireworks will follow the game courtesy of Envision Laser Centers.
-Altoona Curve