LEADING OFF: RHP Gerrit Cole was selected Thursday to participate in the MLB All-Star Futures Game on July 8 in Kansas City. The game features star U.S. minor leaguers against the best minor leaguers from around the world. Cole will make his next start for the Curve on Monday at PNG Field against Akron.
SAFE AT FIRST: RHP Jameson Taillon, who's with high-A Bradenton, and former Curve pitching coach Tom Filer, now with Triple-A Indianapolis, also have been selected to take part in the Futures Game. Filer was Altoona's pitching coach during the 2010 EL championship season.
STEALING SECOND: SS Brock Holt entered play Thursday fifth in the EL in hitting at .319 and was hitting .345 at home. He went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to seven games.
ROUNDING THIRD: Akron comes to town tonight for five games in four days - there's a doubleheader Saturday - and the Aeros have the EL's best record at 45-27. They've been phenomenal at home, going 28-9, but are just 17-18 on the road.
HEADING HOME: The Curve have played Akron tough this season despite a 1-7 record. Altoona has gone 0-6 at Canal Park, but five of the games were decided by one run.
- Cory Giger
