Curve Playoff Hopes Dashed

ALTOONA- The Altoona Curve were officially eliminated from playoff contention as they dropped their home finale at Blair County Ballpark, 6-2, to Reading.

The loss coupled with an Akron victory over Bowie makes it mathematically impossible for the Curve to overtake the Aeros.  The Curve's string of four-consecutive playoff appearances will end as well.

The 6,191 in attendance brought the Curve's season attendance to 356,339, the sixth consecutive season the Curve have eclipsed 350,000 in attendance.  A streak that stretches back to 2002.

Reading starter Josh Outman was in control throughout his seven-inning stint, holding Altoona to just two runs on six hits.  Outman (2-3) won for just the second time at the double-A level, with both wins coming against the Curve.

Curve starter Kip Bouknight also pitched well, equaling a career-high with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.  The right-hander made one mistake however, and Joey Hammond made it hurt, blasting a Bouknight offering for a three-run home run in the fourth inning to give Reading a 3-0 lead.

The Curve response came immediately as they plated their lone two runs in the bottom of the inning.  Brandon Chaves, activated from the disabled list prior to the ballgame contributed a sacrifice fly to score Adam Boeve and an infield-single from Bouknight that scored Jason Delaney made it a one-run game.

Outman recovered after the uprising to retire nine straight Curve hitters.  The R-Phils used that time to stretch their lead.  The final run off of Bouknight plated on an RBI single for Greg Golson in the seventh as Reading upped the lead to 4-2. 

Jose Paniagua relieved Bouknight in the eighth and permitted two runs in two innings.  Peeter Ramos doubled home Hammond in the seventh and Golson clubbed a solo home run in the eighth to cap the scoring.

Bouknight (11-6) was tagged with his sixth loss of the season.

Julio Mateo tossed two scoreless innings to finish the ballgame and was rewarded with his third save of the season.

The Curve will open a season-ending series with the Erie SeaWolves with a doubleheader at Jerry Uht Park in Erie on Friday night at 5:05 PM.  RHP Dewon Brazelton (4-5, 3.84) will start game one for the Curve with a TBA starter in game two.  Both starters for Erie have yet to be determined.  (Story Courtesy: Altoona Curve)