ERIE - The Curve entered Tuesday with the Eastern League's worst offense and worst road record, but they didn't look the part in either category against Erie.
Altoona welcomed back manager P.J. Forbes by scoring four runs in the first inning and coasted to a 7-3 win over the SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park.
The Curve snapped a four-game losing streak overall and six-game skid on the road. They hadn't won away from home since April 16 and came into the day just 2-9 on the road.
Forbes was able to catch up with the team on the road trip after missing the past four games with a back injury. Riding for four hours with the bad back was a worry for the manager, and he was driven to Erie on Tuesday afternoon by Curve broadcaster Mike Passanisi.
The Curve went into the game ranked last in the EL in team batting average (.243), runs (72) and home runs (four), only to put together a big night from the get-go.
Brock Holt tripled with one out in the first inning and scored on a double by Tony Sanchez. Matt Curry followed with his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, and after Ramon Cabrera walked, Quincy Latimore singled him home for a 4-0 lead.
Fact Box
Next stop
Tonight: Altoona at Erie, 6:35 p.m.
Pitching matchups: Curve RHP Matt McSwain (1-0, 5.14) vs. SeaWolves LHP Kelvin de la Cruz (1-2, 3.05)
Record: 9-14
Erie scored a run off Altoona starter Brandon Cumpton in its half of the first, then the Curve came right back with two more in the second. Holt doubled home Charlie Cutler to make it 5-1 and scored on a sacrifice fly by Curry. Kelson Brown singled in Cabrera in the fifth to close out the Curve scoring for a 7-1 lead.
Cumpton (3-2) took advantage of the early run support and turned in a solid outing, giving up three runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Tim Alderson pitched the final three innings to earn his second save.
Erie starter Jared Wesson (2-2) lasted only 2 1/3 innings and allowed six runs - five earned - on six hits and four walks.
Holt, Latimore and Jeremy Farrell had two hits apiece for the Curve.
Game recap
Key player: 1B Matt Curry had a homer and three RBIs for the Curve.
Key play: Curry's two-run homer in the first inning gave Altoona a 3-0 lead.
Key stat: The Curve snapped a four-game slide overall and six-game skid on the road.
How they scored
Top 1st: Holt tripled, scored on Sanchez double (1-0); Curry two-run homer scored Sanchez (3-0); Cabrera walked, scored on Latimore single (4-0).
Bottom 1st: Romero singled, scored on Lennerton single (4-1).
Top 2nd: Cutler walked, scored on Holt double (5-1); Grossman reached on Pounds error, scored on Curry sacrifice fly (6-1).
Top 5th: Cabrera walked, scored on Brown single (7-1).
Bottom 5th: Jones singled, scored on Romero two-run homer (7-3).
