Curve Nipped in Portland 1-0

PORTLAND, Maine - Altoona pitching combined to allow just one run on six hits on Wednesday night but the Sea Dogs pitching staff was a smidgen better in a 1-0 loss.  Former Sea Dog Kris Johnson (1-2) pitched well for the Curve in the loss, going six innings and allowing just the one run on five hits with six strikeouts.

The Sea Dogs scratched out the only run of the game in the first inning with two away.  Jeremy Hazelbaker, who had just stolen second base, broke for third during Bryce Brentz's at bat sending third baseman Kelson Brown for the bag to receive the throw.  Unfortunately for the Curve, Brentz swung and connected, driving the ball past the spot Brown had just vacated while breaking to receive the throw.

Hazelbaker continued running around third and scored the game's only run as Brentz strolled into first with the only RBI of the game.

Altoona did have its chances in the game, putting two one with no outs in the fifth off 'Dogs starter Drake Britton (4-5).  Britton then zeroed in and retired Quincy Latimore, Jeremy Farrell and Brown in order to end the inning and the threat.  They put two more on in the sixth with one down but, again, could not capitalize as Marquez Smith made a tremendous play to start an inning-ending double play.

Adalberto Santos finished the day 2-for-4 and had the only multi-hit game for Altoona while Oscar Tejeda extended his hitting streak to eight games.  First baseman Matt Curry had his nine-game streak snapped with a 0-for-3 day.

As a team, the Curve were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded a total of seven on the bases.

The Curve bullpen was solid in the losing effort on Wednesday with Mike Colla and Vic Black combining for two innings of scoreless relief.

--Curve Media Relations--