From Mirror reports
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The Curve were one out away from ending their three-game losing streak Friday.
But with one swing of the bat, New Britain's Chris Colabello made it four straight losses for the Curve.
Colabello's three-run walk-off homer with two outs in the ninth inning pushed New Britain past the Curve, 5-4, at New Britain Stadium. The home run, which sailed over the right field fence, came off of reliever Vic Black, and it was the first homer the hard-throwing righty has allowed this season.
Black (2-2) walked both Aaron Hicks and Chris Herrmann with one out in the ninth and then struck out Oswaldo Arcia before Colabello - the Eastern League's RBI leader - ended the game. Prior to Friday, Black hadn't allowed more than one earned one in an outing this season, and after he gave up the three-run homer, his ERA went to 1.94 from 1.17.
Entering Friday, the Curve were perfect when having the lead after eight innings. But with the loss, they are now 39-1 for the season when leading heading into the ninth inning.
Fact Box
Next stop
Tonight: Altoona at New Britain, 7:05 p.m.
Pitchers: Curve LHP Kris Johnson (0-0, 2.25) vs. Rock Cats LHP Blake Martin (3-5, 4.70)
Record: 54-57
If it wasn't for Colabello's homer, Jarek Cunningham would've had the game's biggest hit. Cunningham had a two-run double in the eighth, which gave the Curve a 3-2 lead at the time.
Cunningham's double, as well as an insurance run in the form of an Adalberto Santos scoring on a wild pitch in the ninth inning, came off of New Britain reliever Bruce Pugh. Though he allowed one run on three hits in two innings, and was credited with a blown save, Pugh (3-1) was the pitcher of record and picked up the win.
Kyle McPherson started the game for Altoona, and though he was by no means untouchable, the right hander turned in a good start. McPherson worked around nine hits, to allow just two runs in six innings, and he also struck out five hitters.
The two runs the Rock Cats did get off of McPherson came in the fourth inning, when Nathan Hanson hit a two-run home run, his fourth of the season.
Meanwhile, former Curve pitcher Aaron Thompson got the nod for New Britain. Thompson had one of his best outings of the season as he gave up just one run on five hits and recorded three strikeouts in six innings.
The Curve's loss keeps them three games behind Bowie for second place in the Western Division. Bowie suffered a 10-6 loss to Trenton on Friday.
Game recap
Key player: New Britain 1B Nick Colabello was the game's hero as he hit a three-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning.
Key play: Colabello's homer came with two outs and propelled New Britain to a 5-4 win.
Key stat: The Curve are now 39-1 when leading after eight innings.
How they scored
Bottom 4th: Rohlfing doubled, scored on Hanson two-run homer (0-2).
Top 6th: Holt hit by pitch, scored on Cabrera doubled (1-2).
Top 8th: Cabrera doubled, Tejeda walked, both scored on Cunningham double (3-2).
Top 9th: Santos doubled, scored on Pugh wild pitch (4-2).
Bottom 9th: Hicks walked, Herrmann walked, both scored on Colabello three-run homer (4-5).
