From Mirror reports
TRENTON, N.J. - Things have not gone well for the Curve away from Peoples Natural Gas Field this season.
The Curve's road woes continued Thursday afternoon as they suffered a 9-6 defeat and were swept out of Trenton. With a 21-34 record away from home, the Curve are tied with Portland for having the fewest road wins in the Eastern League, which does not bode well for a team fighting for a playoff spot.
After squandering late leads in the first two games of the series, the Curve never led in the finale as the Thunder cruised to a win at Mercer County Waterfront Park.
Trenton scored at least one run in each of the first six innings, including two apiece in the third, fourth and fifth. Zoilo Almonte had a great performance at the plate in the matinee for Trenton as he went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a total of four RBIs.
Starter Brandon Cumpton (10-9) had one of his worst outings of the year, as the six earned runs he gave up are the most he's allowed in a start this season. The All-Star lasted four innings and gave up the six runs on eight hits, while walking two batters and striking out one.
Fact Box
Next stop
Tonight: Altoona at New Britain, 7:05 p.m.
Pitchers: Curve RHP Kyle McPherson (3-5, 4.22) vs. Rock Cats LHP Aaron Thompson (3-6, 5.81)
Record: 54-56
Despite 11 hits, the Curve didn't have enough offense to match Trenton.
Altoona did cut Trenton's lead down to 6-3 in the top of the fifth with RBIs from Brock Holt and Matt Curry, but Trenton answered with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the frame.
The Curve then scored one run in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth, but it was too little, too late. Drew Maggi, Adalberto Santos and Oscar Tejeda all had two hits.
Dellin Betances got the start and the win for the Thunder. Betances (2-1) allowed three runs on six hits in five innings and recorded two strikeouts.
The Curve's loss coupled with a win by second place Bowie on Thursday put the Curve now three games out of a playoff spot in the Western Division.
Game recap
Key player: Trenton CF Zoilo Almonte was 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
Key play: Trenton 2B Walter Ibarra hit a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth, giving the Thunder a 8-3 lead.
Key stat: The Curve are 21-34 on the road this season.
How they scored
Bottom 1st: Ibarra doubled, scored on Almonte sacrifice fly (0-1).
Top 2nd: Tejeda walked, scored on Cutler single (1-1).
Bottom 2nd: Murphy walked, scored on Mujica single (1-2).
Bottom 3rd: Adams hit by pitch, scored on Almonte two-run homer (1-4).
Bottom 4th: Adams doubled, scored on Almonte double (1-5); Murton single scored Almonte (1-6).
Top 5th: Farrell doubled, scored on Holt sacrifice fly (2-6); Maggi singled, scored on Curry single (3-6).
Bottom 5th: Segedin reached on fielder's choice, Mujica singled, both scored on Ibarra two-run single (3-8).
Bottom 6th: Adams solo homer (3-9).
Top 8th: Welch walked, scored on Cabrera single (4-9).
Top 9th: Maggi singled, scored on Santos double (5-9); Tejeda single scored Santos (6-9).
